Author's notes: This might seem rambling at times, but it is a true to life story of our 50 year marriage. My wife will help by narrating parts of this story, when the narrative calls for her. By the time is get posted, we will have celebrated 50 years of marriage, basically by ourselves, due to the Covid 19 virus. There will be some names changed because we want to, but places are all real.
Sunday, September 27, 1970, Seattle, Washington. That day is still the all time record high for that date. 87 degrees. If you know anything about Seattle, 87 is hot any day of the year, let alone the end of September.
Jay and Deb, do you take these vows in front of family, friends and God? Yes, Rabbi, we do!
This wedding took place just before we turned 24 and 23, during early October, that started with us meeting in late 1961, with me starting my Sophomore year in High school, and Deb starting her Freshman year, at different Seattle High Schools.
We dated off and on during high school, and even when I started college in a different city. I joined the Air Force, in 1966, after 2 lackluster years in college. After Basic Training and Air Police Tech School, I was sent to a small NATO munitions dump 65 miles west of London, England. There was another base, close by, a newly reopened World War 2 bomber base, that I worked at, too.
Deb's turn.
With Jay in the service, and me finishing a 2 year school, moving on to the U of W, where I joined a sorority, and started dating. Nothing ever too serious, until I started dating Joe. We actually went to the same high school, and had lost touch my first 2 years in college. Joe and Jay knew each other, and were as different as night and day. Jay was down to earth, a lot of fun to be around, but on the shy side. Joe, on the other hand, was always serious, and seemed to have little illnesses. Always something. I clearly remember my closest Aunt telling me, if he gets sick at 20 years old, be very careful, he may never get better. Thank you Aunt Bertha, you might have saved me from a lifetime of grief. I am so very glad I never let him into my panties. And never let him touch my boobs, without a bra or shirt on.
Jay takes over.
We only had a 3 day "honeymoon" spent mostly getting moved into our apartment. A little conflict with our wedding day and mother nature, kept us from doing much more than exploring each others body. Being raised very strictly, Deb wasn't quite comfortable being naked in front of me, at first. It took that first full night in our new place, when we finally made love for the first time.
I was not a virgin, but not exactly a super stud. At 5'9" and weighing a trim 185, I was still in the best shape of my life. Our first time was not anything the could be considered monumental. I have to admit my new wife was my very first virgin. Afterwards, just laying in bed, she looked at me and said, "how soon can you go again?" Let me tell you, by the third time in less than 2 hours, we were both exhausted. And satisfied.
Deb's turn.
Our first time barely got my motor running, leaving me really horny. The second time, I really got into this fucking thing. By the third time, I nearly saw stars. I do have to admit, here, that when Jay started kissing down from my boobs, to my stomach, I stopped him from eating me out. I was brought up that nice girls didn't do oral.
Jay returns.
One of the things that did not agree with Deb were birth control pills. She was changing so many times, that just under 16 months after our wedding, Josh made his appearance. 6 lbs even and 18 3/4" Yes, he was classified as a preemie. About 3 weeks early. The day of his birth, January 24, 1972 started one of the largest snow storms, Seattle had ever seen. It snowed for 2 solid days. Nearly 2 feet in total.
A little aside, here. For all you earth first, Sierra Club folks, we never, not even once, used disposable diapers. They were being touted, but both grandmothers supplied us with enough cloth diapers to choke a horse.
Working at a dead end retail job, I made the best decision of our lives. I went to the VA and took an aptitude test, and found out I was best suited for a career in Data Processing. IT to you youngsters.
Going to Seattle Community College, then Seattle University, my GI Bill paid for my education. An Associates degree in Data Processing and a 4 year degree in Business Administration.
1974 was another milestone. We purchased our first house. Our area was coming back from the Boeing Recession of the early 70's. We couldn't help but wonder how we could afford a house that sold for $27,950. 1974 prices.
When I was just finishing at Seattle U. I was already working at a large insurance company, looking into the future. One eventful weekend, Deb, Josh and I were at a local park, when we ran into 2 of my high school classmates. Both now Seattle Policemen. After talking for an hour, or so, they told me about a consulting job with the County Sheriff's office, where I could utilize both my Police background and my IT work. That was the start of my 36 years in Tactical Police Operations.
Deb takes over.
The 70's. Disco. Yuck! Josh growing up, and starting school. Our decision to not try for the big brother Josh asked for. Yes, we explained to him that wasn't possible. Our sex life flourished, but for some unknown reason, I wouldn't give or receive oral. My upbringing, I guess. We did, though start experimenting with different positions. Me on top, which I absolutely loved. Doggie became another favorite, too.
Having a child in school gave me the opportunity to volunteer for the PTA. I found my niche, using my organizational skills, as well as my Social Work schooling.
The entire time our son was in public school, we were PTA heroes. I was president at his Elementary, Junior High and High School groups. I was the school district president, and made a chairperson of a State PTA committee. I served a total of 8 years on the state board of directors of Washington State PTA. I was also the very first in our school district to be awarded a Lifetime membership in the National PTA.
In 1983 I was talked into running for a position on our School Board. Even though this was a non paying job, there were lots of politics around this election. We could not believe how many man hours of work were put into my run. Unfortunately, we came up short. Jay was more disappointed than I was, but I learned my lesson about running for public office.
Jay was such a good sport about helping out, at each level, that at the State convention in 1989, I surprised him in front of about 300 attendees by awarding him with the Supportive Spouse award, that to this day, is still given.
Back to Jay.