Jean & Peter’s 50th Wedding Anniversary
Jean Campbell and Peter Bird were married on 4 March 1972 in the living room of their dorm (integrated 1970) at Cabot Hall in Radcliffe College. They had assumed that this would be springtime and wanted to get it done before mid-term exams, but actually there was a blizzard the day before and therefore Jean's sister Lee and her friend Gwen were both snowed-in in other states, and couldn't make it. Another glitch developed when Peter's former roommate Jim had to have surgery that day. The total budget for minister, 2 rings, and a dress was $300. Attendance was necessarily limited to parents, sisters, and a few close friends. Our dorm's resident tutor, who conveniently was also a minister, officiated. Jean and Peter had written their own non-denominational, agnostic service. But, due to the lack of any rehearsal, the refrain "Sweet Thames run softly..." got mispronounced, and the bride and groom disagreed about which way they should face during the formalities. Our friend Betsy played piano, Marc took pictures, and other friends combined to bake a cake. Peter's father George had to sign his approval because Peter was only 20 years old. Despite these modest (or even ominous) beginnings, their marriage has now lasted 50 years.
{music player}
*Danza #5 by Federico Mompou
*Midnight on the water (traditional Irish)
AND … Here we are, about 40 years later, at another wedding (for Erin & Erich, in upstate New York):
