33 Years and Counting from July 10, 1976

I met Gary in college. He was a sophomore and I was a junior. I was at a laundromat with friends and he came in with several other football players. He had just gotten off football practice and had been hit during practice. He had two black eyes and I didn't realize he had been hit too hard in practice. I thought that was just the way he looked but he was soooo sweet. Right then I thought he was the nicest guy I had ever met. I was dating someone else at the time but before long somehow Gary and I got together. We've been together ever since.

July 10th was supposed to be a nice, sunny day. My mother had assured me that she had checked with the weather office and it would be sunny all day. I woke up to rain and thunderstorms. All day I was distraught. It just could not rain. By sunset, it was beautiful.

My dress came from Sanger Harris. My sister picked it out from a Bride's magazine and that is what she wore her wedding day. Jill, John's wife, also wore the dress on her wedding day. My sister wore a veil but I wanted to make the dress just a little different for my wedding so I chose the hat.

We had wonderful music and I heard that all of our friends stayed very late after Gary and I left. For years I had an 8-track tape of our music; however, where it is I don't have a clue. I even heard that someone (Jamie? Paul? Ricky? Curtis?) spiked the lemonade champagne fountain and they probably had more fun than Gary or I did! Just kidding! Gary just told me it was Ricky who spiked the fountain. I heard that all the young people stayed at the champagne fountain after Ricky seasoned it! We had a beautiful silver champagne fountain and the flowers were so beautiful, I still remember them today.

My mother did all the planning. At first I was involved in it but it just kept getting more and more complicated. I think she did a wonderful job!

The silver wine glasses came from Mother and she had Gary's name engraved on one and mine on the other. When Brent and Jessica got married I added Brent's name to Gary's glass and Jessica's name to my glass. I have also now added Shane's name to Gary and Brent's glass and Jess's name to Jessica and my glass. The lady told me I was running out of room for names. I told her I would add Anna Claire's name under Jessica's and Bennett's name under Brent's when the time comes. There's plenty of room!

The rehearsal dinner was at the Holiday Inn in Denton, Texas. The marquee to the hotel had "Congratulations Gary and Betsy." We had napkins and matchbooks with our names and the date on them.

Gary had moved into our apartment in Lewisville, Texas a month before the wedding. It was all perfect for us to come home to after the honeymoon. It was a very nice two-bedroom apartment and that is where all of Gary's friends stayed when they came to the wedding.

Gary - Notice his long hair! He never allowed his sons to have hair that long.


Betsy


Sancy, John, Betsy, and Mother


Gary and Betsy with Gary's Parents


Betsy with Tomama and Todaddy (Betsy's grandparents)


Betsy and Mother. I was getting ready to leave with my husband for our honeymoon. I think I called Mother every day while I was gone.


Sancy, maid of honor, and Jamie, best man


Gary and Betsy and the Wedding Party


Bridesmaids Carol, Laura, Betsy, Carolyn, Sancy


Groomsmen Paul, Jamie, Gary, Jim, Ricky


Gary and Jamie


Gary and the Brides Maids


Betsy and the Groomsmen


Gary and Betsy with the Wine Glasses


Gary and Betsy with Groom's Cake


The Wedding Cake


Servers


Betsy Getting Ready to Leave for Honeymoon




Leaving in the Car for the Honeymoon (Padre Island and Mexico)