Once Upon A Time...

...there was a small, dark-haired young woman who wanted to teach elementary school and a tall, wiry young man who could fix and build just about anything in the world. On June 15, 1963, they got married. What I know of their wedding day comes from the little snippets of story I've heard throughout the years from the bride, the groom, and other family members who attended the ceremony that day.

By all accounts, the lovely bride-to-be was pretty calm as far as brides-to-be go, even when her mother was making the last adjustments to her veil -- and those of you who have been brides-to-be know that when your mom starts fussing with whatever you've got decorating your head, it's almost go-time.

Nana fixing Mom's veil

The groom, on the other hand, was pretty much a wreck. And he'll tell you that himself if you ask. Sometimes he'll tell you even if you don't. It usually just takes the mention of a wedding. My guess is that he was probably lighting cigarettes off of each other. He did a very good job of not showing his nerves for the pictures, though.

Uncle John & Daddy

The four bridesmaids, who were also the bride's oh-so-pretty sisters, wore gorgeous lilac dresses with some pretty amazing seed pearl accents on the skirts. The bride's niece got the honor of being flower girl; she carried a flower basket that would be passed down and carried by flower girls in other Hardman girls' weddings throughout the years. The groomsmen wore dark suits, white button-downs, and burgundy-purplish ties. The groom's brother was his best man.

The groom's nerves seemed to have calmed down once the ceremony was over, and both husband and wife were all big, toothy smiles when it was time to cut the cake.

The couple's story didn't end with the ceremony. The bride went on to teach elementary school, get her Masters Degree in Library Media, and she eventually became a Library Media Specialist in a high school. The groom eventually owned his own manufacturing companies. In 1976, they had a little girl who loved animals and clothes and the color pink -- and her parents -- very much; she got herself a fashion degree but ended up being a teacher, just like her mom (well, except she teaches the big kids how to dissect things instead of teaching the little kids how to read).

They're both retired now. These days, the bride spends her time gardening with at least one of the couple's cats somewhere nearby. The groom keeps himself busy building nifty set-ups for his model trains.

And that little girl they had in 1976? She still loves her Momma & Daddy very, very much.

Happy Anniversary, you two.