My Family – Part 1

So, I know that I have been writing a bunch of posts in the last while that are… well, not dark in tone, but, maybe dusk-like.  I have been remembering (and mourning) my father’s passing, my sister’s passing and my mother’s descent into dementia.  The posts have had their bright spots but, the tone is decidedly not-happy.

I am going to try to fix that.  I have been in communication with some of my siblings and their spouses about collecting family photos.  My sister in-law, Sharon was able to supply with a great series of photos of my parents, their siblings and their parents.

I was over the moon when I started scrolling through the pictures that she had shared with me.

My parents, as you may have heard in my post about my mom, met when my mother and her father ran into my dad at the market.  My dad, a natural born flirt, kept asking my mom out and eventually, he wore her down.  She accepted and the rest is history.  They married on June 8, 1949.

Their Wedding Announcement

One of the best pictures of my parents on their wedding day

Such a beautiful couple

In the Netherlands, you have two weddings.  The first is done at City Hall where the marriage is registered and the second is at the Church for the religious ceremony. This photo is taken on the steps of City Hall.

A horse drawn carriage ride to the Church.  Can it get any more romantic than that?

I loved the fashions of the day.  The style.  The grace.  The looks simply are divine.

They certainly were stylish and knew how to party.

Signing the registry at City Hall

The matriarchs of the clan.

My mom’s oldest brother was the Master of Ceremonies.  Love the top hat!

My mom and her sister.  One of the best pictures of the two of them.

Not really the Andrews Sisters, but, certainly an enthusiastic performance.

Smokin’ styles