Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

May 24, 1958 – It’s hard to believe that it’s been 65 years!

I remember that day as if it was only a few years ago.  I remember waking up early and getting ready for the wedding, which took place at St. Hubert’s Church in Garyville, Louisiana, at 9 a.m.  Jeanne and I were married by the late Msgr. Pete Bergeron.  It was a small wedding with family and a few close friends.

My preparations for the ceremony were filled with the routine of getting dressed and making sure not to forget the rings.  However, Jeanne had a different experience.  She later told me that on the ride to the church, her daddy said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if Harold didn’t show up?”  I’d like to think that he was joking, but after all, this was the youngest and last of his eight children to get married.  That was part of the reason, but at the time, he really didn’t like me, and looking back, I can now understand.

When Jeanne was preparing to get into her going-away outfit, her mom couldn’t find the key to the armoire that her dress was in.  Finally, the key was found and Jeanne and I left for our honeymoon and the beginning of 65 years.

As I look back, I remember us wanting to have children right away.  We even talked about having 10.  Because Jeanne’s deliveries were by Caesarean sections, we were limited to four – Ronny, Matt, Kay (now deceased), and Ann.

The Bible says that when God gives you a wife, He gives you a good thing.  He gave me the best!  I haven’t always appreciated Jeanne, who loved me unconditionally and was a godly example to our children.

The Bible also says that the glory of young men is their strength and the crown of old men is his children’s children.  Today we have 15 grandchildren who are healthy and who love and respect us.  We also have 24 great-grandchildren.

Rounding out the family, we have one daughter-in-law, Monica Martinez, and three sons-in-law, Michael Michel, Tony Serven, and Michael Watson.  God has surely blessed me much more than I deserve.

As Jeanne and I celebrate 65 years of marriage, I pray that my children, grandchildren, and great-children may be blessed as we have been.

Jeanne, thanks for standing in the gap for me when I wasn’t the godly man I was created to be.  I love you a lot!  Happy Anniversary!

            If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (504) 881-0113, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.