August 14, 1982

Ah, but she was a beautiful bride! A girl, really, just turned 21 four days before, honey blonde hair, slender in a long, simple white gown with a blue ribbon sash. She and her grandmother had made it together. The August sun shone on her bare arms, her blue eyes sparkled as she walked on her father’s arm toward me. Flowers in her hands, flowers in her hair, and somewhere, close by, a golden ring to put on her finger.

Here comes the bride! (Photo: Carroll Meyers).

She walked down that grassy aisle to marry me that day, and I couldn’t have been happier!What a day that was! My dad performed the ceremony, Michelle’s aunt played the piano, a college friend sang. My mother, brother, and sister, and Michelle’s parents and brothers were there. My grandparents and great uncle came, and Michelle’s grandmother. We were surrounded, supported and blessed by family and friends, some who came from Alaska to be there. My college roommate stood up for me as best man. My oldest friend attended. Our favorite college professors came.

Mr. & Mrs. Zeiger

The lovely lady and some really lucky guy, whose name escapes me . . . (Photo: Carroll Meyers).

That was 28 years ago today. Twenty-eight years! The girl is gone, but the woman she’s become is as beautiful to me now as the girl was then.

I wonder what we would have said if someone had wandered into that wedding party that day, and told us that almost 30 years later we’d be living in a log cabin in the woods on the edge of Southeast Alaska’s Lynn Canal? Would those two kids have been pleased to hear that? If only I could have given them the gift of this homestead back then. What could they have accomplished with their youth, energy and strength? Would they have been ready for it? Would they appreciate it as much then as they do now?

Impossible to say.

husband and wife

Ready for the future: 14 moves and homes in 5 states in 10 years, a lovely daughter, and eventually an Alaskan homestead . . . so far! (Photo: Carroll Meyers).

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7 Responses to August 14, 1982

  1. Our anniversary is tomorrow! But we’re only at 13. lol

  2. Mark Zeiger says:

    Hang in there, you’ll get to 28 some day! Michelle and I have agreed to double down . . . at least!

  3. Dad says:

    Grandma Harris knew that Missy would be living in a cabin in the woods. And as everyone knew, with Grandma there was no need for a second opinion!

  4. Mark Zeiger says:

    Dad, as I remember, Grandma also thought she was crazy to do so, having raised you, Jim and Loretta in a cabin on the Skagit!

  5. Helen Harris says:

    What a wonderful way to celebrate! Congratulations!

  6. Konnie Newell says:

    Congratulations on your anniversary! Michelle, you are gorgeous and have not changed. Mark, you have inherited your Grandpa Zeiger’s gift for sentiment and writing.

  7. Mark Zeiger says:

    Thank you, Konnie, that’s sweet!

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