I happened to ask my mom the other day, If Dad was still around, what anniversary would you be celebrating this year? Mom replied that she and my dad were married in 1953 so on June 21st, they would be celebrating 65 years of marriage.
Over the years, I’ve heard many stories from my mother about their courtship. Mom spied Dad for the first time at Jeannie Drizos’ wedding around 1951. She lost track of him for a little bit but they reconnected in 1952. Shortly after, my dad gave her an engagement ring.
When I interviewed Mom for this post, here’s what she told me about her wedding. They were married at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Monessen, PA. Their reception was also in Monessen, at the Sokol Hall, and they had a live band. The Manis Brothers were an all mandolin band. I would have loved to have heard that! My Uncle Bil Gameos was living in New York City at the time and mom said she remembers that he performed a live dance number for them.
Mom said her gown was modeled after Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress. A few years ago, my daughter Michelene, modeled it at an event in Sewickley, PA. It is still a stunning gown to this day. The bridesmaid’s dresses, which are also WOW!, were bought at Kaufmann’s downtown, as was my mother’s gown.
My mom said they went to Cuba for their honeymoon!
My mom has two very old, very beautiful albums. The pictures are still heavily glued in place. This is why you will see the pages of the albums (below) and not scanned pictures.
My dad passed away 21 years ago this month. It was Father’s Day and Pentecost. He is sorely missed. I thought it would be a wonderful tribute to both of my parents to write this blog and share some of their pictures.
Enjoy this walk back in time! Please write any comments for my mom (now 89 years young) here on this blog, or on my Facebook post. I will be sure and share them with her.
xo Joanne
Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your friendship! xoxo Joanne
Wow…your Mom was a stunning bride! What beautiful wedding and such a cool honeymoon! Thanks for this lovely story!
She WAS lovely, wasn’t she? Thanks for saying so! xo Joanne
Beautiful Memories For Your Mom & Know That Their Hearts Remained Connected For All Eternity! I am so happy she has these beautiful photos to remind her of her wonderful husband! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! I love love love them!
Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary To Your Mom & A Heavenly One To Your Dad!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Linda! What wonderful things to say and I shared your words with my mom. Blessings! Joanne xo
Hi Joanne, what a beautiful wedding your parents had and what a precious memory you are passing on to your family! I imagine it was a great experience, one you will always cherish, sitting talking to your mom 65 yrs after her wedding day! Wow, that’s a long time!! We were very blessed to have had the opportunity to celebrate my parents 65th anniversary with them!! You look like your mom from some pictures you have posted on your blog, ( maybe a wedding picture) especially the picture of your mom & dad where she has on the flowered dress. Happy 65th to your parents!!❤???
Oh how lucky you were to be there for your parents’ 65th anniversary. WOW, would that be wonderful! I think I look like my mom and especially my grandmother. Thank you so much for your beautiful and kind words! xo Joanne
This was a wonderful blog post! How awesome to share your parents journey of love. The pictures from the album were stunning! What a good looking couple! I am so blessed to have worked beside your mom for many years and to have heard a lot of the great stories she shared! Happy Anniversary!
I can’t believe how gorgeous those photos are. I loved sharing them with all my friends. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. I will share them with my mom. xo Joanne
This is a beautiful post to your parents! I love seeing old family photos, the memories last forever. Gorgeous pictures, your mom is beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us!