posted
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.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2689 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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!?
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2115 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
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.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
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?!?!?
§§§§§§§§
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”
-------------------- Bob Gilliland InKnowVative Communications Harrisburg PA, USA
"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." Benjamin Franklin Posts: 642 | From: Harrisburg, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Happy Anniversary to you both, from Judi too. Sept. was a good month, 36 years for us in another couple of weeks.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
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.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5107 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Tom & Kathy Durham House Springs, MO Posts: 655 | From: House Springs, MO | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
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!
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
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
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.
I wish you both many more happy years together!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8765 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
![[Applause]](graemlins/clap.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Just kidding!!
Printer-friendly view of this topic