You left out a lot of good stuff, like woman finishes her mission and leaves for home with engagement ring, and a clear statement that the wedding not only happened 7 days after man returned from his mission but without them ever having gone on an actual date (maybe they exaggerate, and those P-day activities really were different then, as Grandma claims)

Yeah that could make for some uncomfortable breakfast moments. So how did you sleep? Uh fine???

Lamonte, I did not know about that part of the story but it further illustrates what a remarkable week it was.

I wanted to add one additional detail however – just two days before Isabel hit, Man’s family filled their two 25 gallons water tanks with fresh water. For a family with a weak preparedness record this proved to be monumental. When power was knocked out at the two county pumping stations, we woke-up to no water in a house with 16 people! Eek! But the water in the tanks was used primarily for flushing toilets (very important) until the country water return later that afternoon. The neighbors were impressed.

Happy Anniversary!

Another September 17 wedding story.

Man serves in US army for three years, arriving home in July 1946. In September begins freshman year at Caltech.

Summer 1947. Interviews for mission. Withdraws from Caltech, which will grant only one-year leave.

Travels to SLC for general authority interview, required then for all missionaries. Meets with Elder Benson. He knew the man’s father, a stake president. “Where would you like to serve your mission?” “England. Ancestral home, etc.” “There’s a group at the Mission Home right now, if you want to join them it could be arranged.” “Well, I’d like to have a chance to see my parents before I leave.” “How about Canada, then? You could visit your folks and come back in time.” “Ok.”

A few weeks later, letter from 47 East South Temple, calling to Canadian Mission.

Sometime after arriving in Canada. Meets Sister Hughes, from Los Angeles.

Sometime in 1948. Sister Hughes completes mission and returns home.

Early 1949. Sister Hughes makes the trip to the man’s Arizona hometown, meets his parents.

March 1949. The man’s mother passes away.

September 10, 1949. The man returns from his mission.

September 17, 1949. Friday. The Arizona Temple is closed, but the temple president, friends of the groom’s family, opens it for that one day for one wedding.

Later that month, readmitted to Caltech.

1956. Leaves Caltech with BS, PhD, and three children.

Happy 59th, Mom and Dad!

(You’re in great company, CJ! Good things happen on September 17.)