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We were married at the First Baptist Church of Beech Grove, Indiana.
Linda's dad escorts her down the aisle to her waiting husband-to-be.
The happy couple.
Linda surrounded by her ladies: Lynne, Terri, Teri, Carol and Karen.
Linda's maid of honor was her sister, Teri, Tom's best man was his brother-in-law, Bill.
Linda and Tom and her parents, John and Nellie Hubble.
Linda and Tom and his parents, Whelan and Edna Parsons.
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The wind was blowing snow across central Indiana on the day of our wedding, Saturday, December 28, 1968. We were married at Linda's family's church, First Baptist Church, Beech Grove, Indiana.
After our wedding, we drove in a steady snowfall north from the Indianapolis area to our destination, which was Gary, Indiana. From there we had planned to spend a long weekend in Chicago. The plan was to save a more extended honeymoon for the following summer when we would spend a week or so in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
At Lafayette, Indiana, we could travel no further because of the snow, so we stopped at a Howard Johnson's motel there. I laid my hand across the card the clerk gave me to fill out so that he would see my wedding ring. Not that he cared.
The next day we continued on our way to Gary and spent a couple of days roaming around Chicago and visiting the museums there. Then it was time to head back to Grand Rapids. I had another semester of seminary to finish; Linda had a new job to go to.
The trip back was harrowing, to say the least. Snow was everywhere. It had not stopped falling the entire weekend. I pretty much followed truck tracks on the Interstate out of Chicago, around Lake Michigan and toward Grand Rapids. If the truck had driven into Lake Michigan, I would have followed it.
We finally made it to our apartment in Grand Rapids safely. The next morning, the tires of my 1967 Plymouth Valiant were frozen to the parking lot. It continued to snow for nearly fourteen straight days.
God asked Job, "Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?" Well, my treasure in the snow is the girl I married on a snowy afternoon in Beech Grove, Indiana four decades ago.
Interestingly enough, the First Baptist Church was in the midst of a missions conference at the time of our wedding. The pastor asked us if we wanted the banner at the front of the auditorium removed for our wedding. We told him to leave it up. Now our wedding photos declare what we have tried to do with our lives as husband and wife. "Ye shall be witnesses unto me."
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READ THESE OTHER FAMILY STORIES
William Parsons: A Family Hero
My Mother's Writing
Tribute To My Father-In-Law
Tribute To My Mother-In-Law
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| Copyright © 2009, Thomas M. Parsons, All Rights Reserved. - 205 |
The picture that appeared in the newspaper.
We were young. Linda was one month short of being 21 and I was 27.
Each for the other, and both for the Lord.
Linda's paternal grandparents and us.
