Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage
Anniversary Special
Every day, numerous wedding anniversaries are celebrated in Merritt, BC. Yet, one anniversary holds a particularly special place in my heart — the 50th anniversary of my marriage to Shirley. This past summer, in Merritt, British Columbia, we celebrated this significant milestone, which is increasingly rare in today’s world. However, many of our friends share similar stories.
How Our Journey Began
As 1969 came to a close and 1970 began, most of my friends were busy celebrating their 21st birthdays. One of those memorable birthdays fell on January 3rd, 1970. To celebrate, we organized a party for New Year’s Eve and another one on January 3rd. We decided to go to Oil Can Harry’s Night Club in downtown Vancouver on January 2nd. Since I was single at that time, I didn’t have a date, but my friends came through for me by arranging a blind date. That blind date was Shirley, and everything since then is history.
The Wedding
Tom and Shirley, Wedding Day, July 22, 1972
Our wedding was quite a grand affair due to Shirley’s father’s desire for a large celebration. While we would have preferred something more intimate, we provided a list of essentials for the wedding and told him he could invite others, but he would need to handle the invitations. Consequently, our celebration turned out to be a joyous event with a large group of friends and family.
How We Sustained 50 Years of Love
The most common question we receive is about the secret to our long-lasting marriage. From my perspective, the key is finding the right partner, and I have to say I truly hit the jackpot. I couldn’t have imagined a more suitable companion. Shirley is kind, loving, and patient. Our journey was not without challenges; initially, we planned for me to teach while Shirley completed her degree at Oregon State University during the summers. We had to adapt our plans along the way.
Our Next Steps
We began our lives together in a basement suite in East Vancouver, living beneath a kind Italian family. As living costs began to rise, we felt it necessary to enter the housing market and eventually purchased a townhouse near Steveston in Richmond, BC.
Our Richmond Home
Photo by Tom Reynolds
Our Careers
I started my 33-year career in municipal government as an accounting clerk. Commuting could be challenging due to fog in Richmond, so we decided to buy a home in Coquitlam where our children were born. After working in Coquitlam, I spent seven years as Deputy Treasurer in Port Moody, while Shirley worked in the insurance industry. Eventually, it was time for me to pursue a new career opportunity, which led us to Williams Lake. This turned out to be a wonderful place for families, allowing us to engage in sports, art, music, and community activities with our kids. Those years passed in the blink of an eye.
Shirley found an excellent position at an orthodontist’s office, where her understanding employer allowed her to attend school functions. This opportunity also granted us the freedom to take weekend trips, as the office closed at noon on Fridays.
Change is Inevitable
Unfortunately, when the city welcomed Wal-Mart, they disregarded community concerns. This shift in the city’s priorities made me uncomfortable with my position there, prompting our move to Merritt.
Our Williams Lake Home
Photo by Tom Reynolds
Welcome to Merritt, BC
In 2003, we became empty nesters and purchased a “fixer-upper” in a lovely neighborhood near the forest, overlooking the Nicola Valley. This decision proved wise, as we quickly made friends and became active in the community through our volunteering efforts.
Having lived here for almost twenty years, we love Merritt for many reasons. To explore why we adore this place, check out the stories on Experience Nicola Valley and travel information on Experience Merritt to discover the unique qualities that make this area special.
Our Special Anniversary Celebration
When our children asked what kind of party we wanted for our 50th anniversary, I expressed a desire for a small gathering, and Shirley agreed. Our celebration was held at a beautiful destination party in the North Shuswap.
Cabin in North Shuswap
Photo by Tom Reynolds
We were lucky to rent a luxurious cabin right across from the lake, which offered plenty of fun water activities for all our guests.
Enjoying Water Activities
Photo by Steve Reynolds
Of course, food plays an essential role in any anniversary celebration. Sadly, I didn’t get a picture of the grand feast, but I assure you it was delicious! However, I do have a picture of the beautiful cupcakes my daughter made, which were decorated in the colors of our wedding.
Beautiful Cupcakes
Photo by Steve Reynolds
Despite the small size of our gathering, our guests traveled from Calgary, Spokane, Redmond, Ladner, Langley, Richmond, and Vancouver to be with us.
Our Wonderful Guests
Photo by Steve Reynolds
The day concluded with a beautiful ceremony lighting sparklers around the fire pit.
Sparker Celebration
Photo by Steve Reynolds
As we reflect on our wedding anniversary, we conclude our story with a photo of us taken fifty years later compared to the one at the beginning of this article.
Fifty Years Together
Photo by Steve Reynolds
Wedding Anniversaries
Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage
Anniversary Special
Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
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My name is Tom Reynolds, and I have lived in Merritt since 2003. From the moment I arrived, I knew I was home. There’s no place I’d rather be. My blogging approach is “eclectic,” meaning I have no specific focus; I have too many interests to dedicate my time to just one area.
