My sweet father, a City Fire Fighter in Southern California, planned and organized our wedding. Four of my nine siblings were married, by this date. He bought the Bridesmaid dresses, invitations, ordered the flowers, planned the reception and lined up a photographer.

You see I had accepted a teaching job in Alaska and would be flying back to California two nights before the marriage with my groom. Neither of us had met the other's family. That was in March, 1962, 44 years ago.

A large crowd of family, friends and school friends from both high school, college and out of town came to the delightful event. The Superintendent of schools had given me a "Matrimonial Leave," and we were back in Alaska 4 days later.

We have since raised 7 children and have our 10th grandchild. We are living happily ever after, still in love, and notably still in love with Alaska.