Our Wedding Day Journey
On September 6, 1960, Bob and I embarked on quite a journey in more ways than one. It was our wedding day. As usual, we did it Our Way. We had decided to just drive over to Iowa and be married. Bob was not the type for the big wedding falderal, and I didn't feel it was appropriate since it was my second marriage. Mary Jo was asked to come along as my maid of honor and Marv was asked to be Bob's best man.
Let me preface the rest of this story with an explanation. Bob assumed this was a simple little trip over to Hamburg, Iowa to the court house, say the words, and have a celebratory beer. Nothing else had been planned. We had dated for almost a year; however, I didn't realize Bob doesn't react well to impromptu spur of the moment change of plans. The day definitely did not go as he had envisioned.
Get Me to the Church on Time
We arrived in Hamburg and discovered we didn't quite have our facts straight. First of all Hamburg, Iowa, was not the County Seat; no courthouse. As we were driving around town, I spotted a little Baptist church. On a whim I decided we should be married in this little church. Believe it or not, the minister was at the church and was perfectly willing to perform the ceremony. However we still had to drive to Sidney, Iowa to get a license. With the necessary paper work in hand we returned to Hamburg, Iowa. The minister performed the ceremony with Mary Jo standing by my side and Bob holding my hand; we promised to love, honor, etc. in sickness and in health until death do us part.
The Reception
We all agreed a celebratory beer was necessary. Jo and I were under age to have a drink in Nebraska or Iowa so we headed down to Missouri. On our return trip to Lincoln, we tipped off the day with a steak dinner compliments of Marv. He directed us to this little steak house on O Street. Marv was right, they did serve good steaks.
All in all it had been a long day and a long drive, but a lot of fun. Music blared on the radio, the 1957 Turnpike Cruiser rode like a dream and Marv kept us all entertained with his never ending supply of jokes.
