When these two married 70 years ago…
Do you think they imagined their family would one day look like this? (And there are about 10 of us missing!)
Let’s face it, most people don’t even live long enough to be married 70 years. So when Grandma and Papaw Hill’s anniversary rolled around this year, we figured it was an occasion to CELEBRATE!! We invited a few (hundred) of their friends over to Jonathan’s parents’ home. Y’all, those few hundred thought it was a reason to celebrate, too. They came in droves to help us have a good time!
There was much hugging of necks and congratulations exchanged.
Grandma’s best friends from high school came for the day. Can you imagine having friends with whom you’ve been friends for 80+ years!?! What a blessing! I can only imagine the stories these dear ladies could tell!
Jonathan’s kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lenelle Simmons, paid us a visit. This lady is so full of the joy of the Lord. I’ve never seen her that she wasn’t smiling that beautiful smile. I love to be around her because she only has good things to say. I’ve never once heard this sweet lady complaining about anything. It’s not that she doesn’t have anything to complain about. She just chooses to dwell on joy! I want to be like her.
I can’t even tell you how happy we were to see our dear former neighbor, Mary Ellen Germany. Mary Anneliese and “Germany”, as we affectionately call her, have been soul sisters since we brought MA home from the hospital, despite their almost 80 year age difference. When Mary Ellen fell critically ill last year, we were all devastated. She was so sick for so long that we really began to give up hope that she’d ever fully recover. In all honesty, we weren’t sure for a while that she’d ever leave the hospital. But my sweet girl never gave up asking God to heal her friend. And y’all, HE DID!!! She isn’t quite as strong as she once was, but this little bitty lady has returned to us. She is absolutely a walking, breathing beautiful miracle!
And, of course, there were tons of Hills there! I love this shot of Papaw holding court with his grandsons. He had some advice to share, I assure you!
The Hill Girls were there. Don’t we look like a hair color ad?
Poor Jerry Hill had to work all afternoon on winning over Patterson. But his persistence paid off in the end.
And, of course, my mother-in-law had a beautiful display of fabulous food.
And a beautiful cake that would rival any wedding cake.
Patterson liked it a little bit.
It was really a fun day! Being married to the same person for 70 years is something to be celebrated, and we were so glad to be a part of it.
I am so glad you posted the pictures of the Hill’s anniversary. I grew up at First Baptist in Meridian and was in the youth group with Jonathan and Cecily. I am a year older than Jonathan. I LOVED Mrs. Susan! I had a wreck after school, soon after I’d gotten my driver’s license. The wreck wasn’t my fault, but I was freaked out none the less. Mrs. Susan drove by and stopped. She made me feel soooooo much better! I have never forgotten it! This was pre-cellphone days, so she went home and called my parents for me. Anyway, thanks again for posting the pictures. The Hill’s are some of the nicest people on the planet. By the way, your and Jonathan’s daughters are beautiful! Tell him I said hello!