Celebrating 50th Wedding Anniversary
Matthew 19:4-6
“And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
It is hard to believe that it was 50 years ago today that I was so blessed to marry the most beautiful girl in all the world. It was August 26, 1972 at Timberlake Baptist Church, on the corner of Waterlick and old 460, in Lynchburg VA, that my pastor, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Edith’s pastor, Dr. Elwood McQuaid and my dad, J.O. Grooms performed our wedding ceremony. Not only was Edith the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, over these past 50 years, she has also been the most fantastic wife, the most wonderful and greatest mother to our five children, and an awesome grandmother to our 18 grandchildren.
Edith and I met for the very first time at the old Pitman Plaza Bowling Alley just across from Pitman Plaza and E.C. Glass H.S in the fall of 1971. She came home for the weekend from her first year at Longwood College in Farmville, VA with a friend and they decided to go bowling. I was there with a group of friends from the brand-new Lynchburg Baptist College. It just so happened that our bowling lanes were next to each other, and I noticed this beautiful girl bowling a pretty good game. So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and introduced myself and made some comments about her bowling skills. Before it was over, somehow, I was able to get her name, Edith Obenshain, and her phone number.
It wasn’t too long after that, when she was home for another weekend, that we had our very first date at the same bowling alley. And the rest is history. It wasn’t long before I knew I was in love with Edith. She and I will never forget me asking her if she was willing to go Africa as a missionary because I was sure that was where I was going at that time. If she didn’t think she was willing to go, my thought was we better just be friends and forget about a closer relationship. She responded that she was willing to go with me wherever the Lord might send us.
Our journey together over these 50 years is really beyond amazing! We look back through the many years and see God’s hand protecting us, leading us and blessing us beyond imagination. We both want to thank all of our family and friends for all the prayers and support that you have shared with us in so many ways!
I could never say enough about the support and encouragement that Edith has given to me all along the way. We really believe that the best years are still ahead of us! And we are looking forward to spending them together as we continue to serve the Lord.
God bless!
Happy 50th Anniversary Pastor Mike and Edith!