Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Happy 16 Years, Babe

Sixteen years ago today, Cindy and I got married. Thought it was so much fun, we did it again two months later in the Church. I was fresh in the Air Force, and stationed at Tyndall AFB outside of Panama City Beach, Florida. I was completing what was called "Follow on Training." This was training that was given on operational aircraft for three months prior to going to my permanent duty, Kadena AFB, in Okinawa, Japan. Cindy and I were engaged at to be married, and had plans for a late July wedding. The only hiccup was that, for Cindy to be on my orders, she had to be my wife, and not my fiancée. We then altered our plans to get married by Panama City Beach's Justice of the Peace. Two of my AF buddies came along as witnesses.

Down at the court house, the fairy tale wedding took a dose of reality. We were in line with others getting married. The two kids in front of us looked as if they both had turned 18 that morning, and the couple behind us, while much older, smelled of booze. And there we were: I was dressed in my AF Blues uniform, Cindy was in a white, knee length dress. Once we were called in, we were married. It seemed very quick. However, what was said by the JOP seemed to have more meat to it than I expected. After we each said "I do", we were pronounced husband and wife by the state of Florida.

6 comments:

George said...

Happy Anniversary, you crazy kids.

Rick said...

Congrats from the Stilwells - once again being reminded that we've all pretty much married up.

James said...

16 years ago... Yes, I recall your dispatch from the front at the time. I have always been fond of the Cindstress and am pleased she has stayed with you this long.

Martha said...

Babe....I got you babe....I got you babe....

Sorry, the Babe made me think of that song. Congratulations!

Todd R. Vick said...

Many congrats, my friends. May the next 16 years be your best.

Steve said...

Congratulations to you both from the Ritters!