Kathy was a seventeen year old senior in high school and ecstatic to be engaged to her long-time sweetheart, Gary. The pair had plans to wed after her graduation, in June of 1958. A Monday morning in May changed that in an instant. Kathy was called out of her first period class, being told she had a phone call in the office. Gary was on the other end and he had bad news. Gary was in the Navy and had just been told by his superior that they were going to ship him out for the next two years. Unless he got married by the following Monday.
Immediately the couple set a new wedding date for that Saturday, May 17th. There was much protesting from family, particularly Kathy's mom. After all, there was so much to do. How could they get it done? Kathy all ready had her dress but it needed alterations. Blood tests needed to be completed. The license had to be obtained. So on and son. Somehow, they got it done.
When Saturday morning dawned, they were ready. Almost. One thing was wrong. A flower that Kathy had wanted in the floral arrangements. Wild Orange Blossoms. They weren't in bloom yet. It was, after all, May, not June.
Gary wouldn't have it. He wanted everything to be perfect for his soon to be wife. He spent most of Saturday driving all over the town looking for these elusive flowers. He finally did find some in bloom. They were in someone's yard though. Gary went right up, knocked on the door, explained the situation and then asked, "May I please pick your flowers?" The answer was yes. Who could have said no?
Back at the church the fragrant, white flowers were tucked into the arrangements and the couple was wed with one hundred and fifty people in attendance. Monday morning, Kathy went back to school and Gary went back to work.
Now, I've heard people say "Don't get married young, it won't last." But I know love lasts, because my grandparents, Gary and Kathy, are celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary this May. Every time my grandmother sees wild orange blossoms, she cannot help but tell us this story again, about what her true love did for her that day.
Oh, love lasts. The wild orange blossoms are a constant reminder.
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