I have.
And one event in my life seems to fill all four of those situations, simultaneously.
You see, thirty five years ago today, Saturday, September 4th ,1982, I was in church, standing by the altar, trying my best not to make a fool of myself by running, screaming, fainting or otherwise embarrassing myself in front of my friends and family who were sitting there waiting and watching for me to do something.
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| St John the Evangelist Church, Valdosta GA |
Then the organist started playing and the doors opened, and this beautiful woman walked down the aisle and stood beside me.
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| See? I did have hair at one time. |
The priest prattled on about this and that, said the Mass, asked each of us a question, we exchanged some pieces of metal, and then he made a pronouncement.
My life since that moment has been wonderful.
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| The last member of the Juvat clan to fly a Phantom wasn't me. |
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| My crewed (crude?) backseater, Conehead, ensures Mrs Juvat (then Captain Mrs. Juvat) gets a proper finis flight |
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| A happy trio, and we're off to Holloman. BTW, that's Sarge in the background trying to fix the radar. |
God's blessed us with kids we will always treasure.
A few we haven't had the opportunity to meet yet. All in in good time.
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| Little Juvat and I were on the same schedule. 0300 wakeups |
An assignment to Kadena
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| Mrs Juvat got to see her husband up close and personal at work. Fortunately, the boomer was proficient and I didn't embarrass myself. |
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| And finally we're blessed with our Most Beautiful Daughter |
That moment 35 years ago feels like forever ago, yet at the same time, like it happened yesterday. It both amazes and confuses me.
Honey, regardless of what is in store for us in the future, I'd do it again in a heartbeat and wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything.
Thanks.
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteCongrats to Mrs Juvat. I think her 35 may have been harder.
ReplyDeleteKnowing me (as I do), I'm sure you're right!
DeleteThanks.
How very precious!
ReplyDeleteMe & my Mr. will see #37 in November...time enough to be best friends!
Congratulations to you and Mrs. Juvat!!
Thanks.
DeleteYeah, I think while there a lot of very good things, the "best friends" is indeed the best.
Great stuff! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Skip!
DeleteCongratulations, and here's to many more! And yes, I have noticed. Perhaps it's those moments when we seem to meet our past coming. A small example--standing under a giant white oak tree on a knoll on the ranch where I grew up, sometime in my early forties. It seemed like just yesterday I was a scrawny eight year old kid standing under that same tree, yet at the same time felt forever ago. We can go back to that old place, but only our memory can go back to that time.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteYeah, When Sarge posted this week about his place in Europe. I had a flashback that included the exact address of our house in Colorado Springs. Dad was stationed at Ent AFB and I was in 2nd Grade. The house looked exactly the same, if a bit worn, but there was a HUGE tree in front. Dad and I had planted it 50+ years ago. The view of Pikes Peak from the living room window was still the same as I remembered.
It must be nice getting a good one first try.
ReplyDeleteI was for me, Joe, but sometimes you just have to keep trying. From what it sounds like, Mrs Cranky is a keeper.
DeleteCongratulations. Takes faith and work to make a marriage last.
ReplyDeleteYes it does. I have to vary my standard statement when I refer to Marriage.
Delete"Never give up, Sometimes Surrender!"
gee, a bit dusty on the flight line this morning. Scuse me while I find my cranial and some googles.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Mate! Have to break out mine occasionally also.
DeleteCongratulations and many more! Great story. Thank you for your service - the both of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. Thank you for your service also!
DeleteI remember that day! I did not get married, but we did have a happy ending rescue out in the Bay. Those were the good old days, eh?
ReplyDeleteWarmest congratulations.
Well then! It was a great day all 'round!
DeleteThanks.
35 is doing all right! Congratulations! Many many more, I trust!
ReplyDeleteOne hopes. Thanks
DeleteHappy Anniversary to us! 24 for me and the beautiful one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tuna. They start to mount up pretty fast.
DeleteCongratulations Juvat! Mrs Juvat got a ride in a Phantom?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteYeah, She was a Personnel officer and then grabbed to be the Wing King's Aide. When he asked if there was anything she wanted to do before she transferred to Holloman, she told him she wanted a ride in the Phantom. His only stipulation was that I couldn't be the pilot. I guess he didn't want an AF version of "Hold my beer while I show ya....."
Mongo, callsign of the guy on the left, and I had a LONG conversation on what would happen should anything untoward happen on the ride. Mrs J had a great ride and had no issues with G's or airsickness. Later on at Kadena, she got a high speed taxi ride in an Eagle, she said that wasn't quite as much fun.
Happy Anniversary! 35 years is an amazing milestone. Congrats to you both and may you have many, many, many more happy anniversaries together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aaron! So...Inquiring minds....You been up again since you no longer have to ask "Mother, may I?"
DeleteSorry....I see that you have.
DeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete