We went to the beach last week with J.C.'s family, in part to celebrate his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Fifty years! Fifty! Five-oh! Half a century! Five decades! Not many marriages make it to the golden anniversary these days. It is truly something to celebrate.
When they were married, John F. Kennedy was president and Lyndon B. Johnson was vice president. The year they were married, you could buy gas for $0.30/gallon, a stamp for $0.05, milk for $1.04/gallon, a car for $2,300, and a house for $19,300. Sidney Poitier took home the Best Actor Academy Award that year, and Tom Jones won Best Picture. Some of the top songs were Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton, He's So Fine by the Chiffons, and My Boyfriend's Back by the Angels. On television, Bonanza, The Andy Griffith Show, Leave it to Beaver, The Fugitive, and The Dick Van Dyke Show were all popular. The week they were married, the Ayatollah Khomeini was arrested in Iran, and the Rolling Stones made their first TV appearance.
Now, fifty years later, J.C.'s mom and dad are parents to two, grandparents to five, aunt and uncle to many, and still very much in love.
One of the things J.C.'s mom wanted for her anniversary was a nice family portrait. I hope she is happy with these. Considering we were using a tripod and a timer, I think they turned out pretty well. She loves the beach just as much as I do, so I think the beach was the perfect setting for both an anniversary celebration with family and also a family photograph.
Happy Anniversary!
OH ANN! The pics are fantastic - great job and HOLY MOLY 50 YEARS!!
Posted by: Jodi | Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 08:59 AM
Thanks, Jodi! I was really happy with that one of everybody. We actually got all eleven people smiling and looking at the camera while the sunlight was just right! :)
Posted by: Ann | Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Great photos! I love the colors (and the lighting was fantastic). I'm sure she will be thrilled.
Posted by: kerry | Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 07:08 PM
Ann: Fifty years - fabulous! Did you plan ahead or was it a happy accident that everyone's outfits were color co-ordinated? Barbie
Posted by: Barbara Eldridge | Friday, June 21, 2013 at 09:37 AM
So wonderful to feel the warmth of the summer in your lovely family photos - here in Australia we have de-iced the car this morning and I am snuggled up with a blanket! I will check back in again soon, to get my vitamin D fix from your great blog!
Wren
Posted by: Wren | Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 01:57 AM
Barbie - I just asked everybody to bring something in the blue to green color range, so definitely not an accident!
Wren... I'll be posting more beach pics soon, so check back!
Posted by: Ann | Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 08:29 PM