On September 3, 1963 my high school sweetheart became my bride. For the last 40 years Jeanne has supported me, tolerated me, and been by my side through the good times and the deep valleys. My cup is full to overflowing.
Even while dating almost three years through high school she knew what she was getting into with me. Our Saturday night dates usually consisted of me painting signs on the kitchen table and Jeanne either reading a book or watching TV with my parents. She worked in a hospital delivery room to see that I would receive a college education, even though she never attended a day of classes herself.
The last 40 years have not always been easy, but I have never doubted the love of my bride or the sincerity of her pledge to me.
If you are a praying person, sometime today please thank the King on my behalf for sending Jeanne to complete my life.
Posted by david drane (Member # 507) on :
Beautiful Ray, I just love seeing people make the long haul. We had our 30th last January. Good Luck and I hope you have a fantastic day and I am sure the good Lord will look out for you lovebirds. Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Congratulations to the both of you 40 years together is a real milestone in this day and age. If you like music, find a copy of an Everley Brothers tune called: "Let It Be Me".
Those lyrics are timeless, and would have some real meaning for a couple of special folks who have spent so many wonderful years together. Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Wow! That's longer than I've been alive! Congrats to you and Jeanne!
Sorry we missed you in Orlando.
Posted by Roy Frisby (Member # 736) on :
Congratulations to you both. Jeanne must be a very special lady. I married my teenage sweetheart, it just took us thirty-two years to finally find one another once again. Congratulations Ray on forty years and here's to many more.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Raymond, I was two years old! Congratulatons and God bless.......He already has.
Posted by Bill&Jane Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Congrats Ray & Jeanne! We celebrated our 25th yesterday, September 2nd. I'm with you. I can't believe what luck I have had to marry such a talented, kind guy! He is a loving dad, great husband and my best friend! Every day we giggle and share things together and he is always at the top of my list when I say "Thank you, God for..." How did I get so lucky, to have him for "the boss" at work too!?
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Oh that poor woman....
I'M KIDDING!!!!!
Congratualations Ray! From a confirmed bachelor who has nothing but the most sincere admiration for those who marry well and are successful in forming that most marvelous partnership. All the best wishes for another 40 years.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Okay, now you've done it Raymond. Somebody, hand me a kleenex!
I'm such a sap for that gushy stuff!
Heartfelt congrats to you both!
No staying late painting signs tonight buster! Show that gal of yours a good time! Nettie
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Raymond
As another confirmed bachelor, I envy your ability to get it right the first time!
You are lucky!
Congrats to you both!
Posted by Bob Gilliland (Member # 28) on :
quote: If you are a praying person, sometime today please thank the King on my behalf for sending Jeanne to complete my life.
Raymond,
Truth be told, Jeanne has been making that “prayer” request from us for a very looong time!! You just weren’t suppose to know about it!! Just kidding!!
And let me join Amy in saying that I haven’t even had the pleasure of 40 trips around the sun yet, let alone be married for that length of time.
That makes you what…………old?!?!?
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On a more serious note, regarding your request, it and even more has been done. Congratulations to you both (and your sons). Both of you are great folks. Great for our industry, great for your community, and perhaps the best “great”, great children of His.
Sincerely, The “Nerd” Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
Happy Anniversary to you both, from Judi too. Sept. was a good month, 36 years for us in another couple of weeks.
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
Congratulations, Ray and Jeanne on such a long run in this time when it's not the norm. A prayer has been sent. Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Congratulations Raymond & Jeanne.
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
And congratulations from beautiful downtown Fly Creek as well.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Congratulations, Ray!
You've got me beat by 9 years, 1 month and 1 day, but who's counting?
Proverbs chapter 31 describes the hard working “capable wife”. Fortunately for us sign guys married to great gals, there is no Proverbs chapter 32, however, Raymond’s Jeanne and my Sophie know plenty of other texts to keep us in line.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Ray....congratulations to BOTH of you!
Isn't it nice to look back at all those years?
We passed or 43rd Anniversary last June! Ya got some catchin up ta do!
Posted by Tom & Kathy Durham (Member # 776) on :
Ray, Good things happen to good people. In the big circle of life how little we know how we effect each other, but the proof is what comes back to us. You have always given and what a great reward to have such a great wife and world full of friends! Sept. must be a good month for marrying that special one....this month will be 8 for us letterweds. What a great and fortunate life we live.
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
What a moving tribute! Congratulations to both of you from the bottom of my heart.
Maybe the two of you could teach some classes together.....on how you have achieved this rare feat of a long and happy marriage.
Happy day!
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
All the best to you and your wife Ray. We all are very fortunate to have you in our midst. A special thanks to your wife for making it possible. This would have been our 51st year.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
All the best to you and your wife Ray. We all are very fortunate to have you in our midst. A special thanks to your wife for making it possible. This would have been our 51st year.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
All the best to you and your wife Ray. We all are very fortunate to have you in our midst. A special thanks to your wife for making it possible. This would have been our 51st year.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Congratulations to you and Jeannie, as she sounds so generous, I bet she loved doing that for you, Ray. As Bill says, it is fortunate to have you here, and to see such love enduring through the years; it touches my heart, have a great day, and many more to come. God Bless, Deb Fowler
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Thanks for all the nice words. I will print out your responses and take them home to Jeanne this evening.
Some have asked the secret of a long marriage. For me, it can be summed up in two words: "Yes Dear". Just joking. Don't flame me.
Actually, I believe it was our resolve from the very beginning to stay together...no matter what. Those promises were not something we took lightly. And our faith was the binding that got us over the rough spots, which have been many, but not overwhelming. We respect each other and know that we are not identical in habits or interests, but each completes the other. None of us are perfect, not by a long shot, but love has a tendency to overlook the warts.
It is not easy putting up with me. Even though my mother thinks I'm rather close to perfect, the reality is that my head is in a dream world most of the time. On several occassions those who are old signwriters have talked about "the zone", where you are transported into another realm. My other realm tries to be a mix of Mayberry, Little House on the Prarie, and The Waltons - a very nice place, but not one based very much on the real world. And Jeanne has to put up with a guy that has his head in the clouds. It's not an easy job, but somehow she has managed to pull it off for 40 years.
Yesterday she agreed to renew my license for another year, so I have a place to stay tonight.
Posted by Barb Schilling (Member # 13) on :
Congratulations on your 40 years of faithful love and friendship, and Blessings on your future together. Thank you for posting this, your warmth and love for your wife and your life is transparent. (I teared up too, Janette Balogh.) Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Raymond,
I think an email is more personal, but hey, I'm already here so I'll join everyone else.
So, happy anniversary to you both!! Thanks for being an example - a rare example these days - to the rest of us in the world. You've both illustrated clearly that a long, married relationship is truly POSSIBLE!! I just hope someone takes notice.
I am positive I got it right with Jody - albeit the second time around that block for me. (Nobody's perfect) I hope we hit 40 years together also. (2039 - can I go that long??)
Hope it was a special day for you both. Maybe someday I can actually meet "Mrs. Ray Chapman"!!
Jay
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Congratulations to you & Jeanne.
It warms my heart to thing that there's other folks out there who fell in love when they were still in high school and decades later are still happily together.
Janis & I celebrated 29 years together this past June. Like Jeanette, she has agreed to renew each year to my delight.
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Just kidding!!
