25 years of marriage

(Editor’s note: Joan’s family has exhausted her with birthday and anniversary celebrations. As Billy draws for Bill Keane when he goes on vacation, Mert, Joan’s son, wrote this column to give her a rest.)
On this 25th anniversary, recall and remember, on the day Joe met Joan in a northern November. That Sunday in church, Mom sat on her pew, Dad saw her and his heart turned to goo.
Joan was a co-ed at the college in Goshen. Joe, from the factory, had a sweet notion. He asked her, “Can I take you home? You look single and I’m all alone.”
Joan went to Moody. Joe visited as was his duty. As they ate and talked, Joe had indigestion: Joan Marie had not answered his question.
He asked more than once, but she said, “Not again, Or my heart Mr. Hershberger, you will not win.” After the torment of time she said “yes.”
He smiled. Joe knew he was blessed. His people met hers and both said OK. January ninth would be the day.
Hitched they were, he with her, she with him and tagging along were Randy and Tim.
They rebuilt their house from the roof to the basement beneath and cared for two foster sons, Stoney and Heath.
Dad went to college for his BA knowledge. They had three sons, Mark, Mert and then Nate, but for a daughter they had to wait for one not a boy. Everyone welcomed Sharon Joy.
After years of northern cold snow to the cozy South they did go. They packed up their boxes of shirts, slacks, shoes and socks. They left the old house, the old friends and drove to a new land, a new house, a new kitchen and stove.
Wherever they went, folks called’em Yankees. They sunbathed in winter and sneeze in their hankies.
For church they prayed with Marrable Hill Chapel. For school they learned at Parkers Chapel: except the day Nate’s kindergarten room burned, destroying the toys they used to learn. So Pa built toy kitchens of wood, sanding and sawing as best as he could.
Back to college, Mom went many long hours in labs she spent. She finished with honors and the kids were so proud. They hooted and hollered in the graduation crowd.
She taught for a year and said, “that’s enough!” and went on to newspaper stuff.
The kids joined the school band which lacked uniforms to march on land. So Dad brought a circus to the fairgrounds. Folks came from miles around and paid with cold cash, ensuring an overflowing uniform stash.
They traveled the country, saw towering trees, climbed mountains and swam the deep seas. Randy worked in Honduras. Mark helped in Haiti. Mert went to Asia, to Australia soared Nate.
Sharon is the only one left at the house. Mark works at Tulane and has an expectant spouse. Mert’s almost through with his B.A. and sophomore Nate’s doing OK. Randy and his folks are family again and Tammy married Tim.
They anniversary’s over. The future’s ahead. The kids all hope you’v enjoyed what you’ve read.