A couple of weeks ago, on June 12th, we were guests in celebration of a triple wedding anniversary! Loran’s parents along with Loran’s mother’s two sisters were married on the same day, same ceremony in Park Falls, Wisconsin, forty years ago! It was kind of a big deal. And still is, as one of the local news stations did a story on it!
The three couples along with their combined nine children (with spouses) and nine grandchildren (thankfully without spouses) came together to celebrate 120 years of marriage. We celebrated mass together which was somewhat tense for us, as it was the first time our girls have ever been in a church service since being newborns. But, all in all, they did great. They were all eyes, enjoyed the music, enjoyed some books and snacks and Ella started to get in the groove with the kneeling, sitting and standing. She did ask me if we get to twirl…Lily was escorted out a few times to get some running in. She was obsessed with the Holy Water Font and I was hoping this entry wasn’t going to turn into one on which I highlight Lily’s adventure in said Font. Luckily, she opted to stay dry and just experience it with her eyes.
After the mass, we headed to Loran’s parents’ house to enjoy a great dinner and catch up with family. Ella was a little taken aback by all of the guests in her Nana and Papa’s house, but warmed up eventually. Lily was sacked out in the crib upstairs and didn’t so much care about the commotion.
Showing Joanna all of the toys and later, trying to keep Ella quiet during the interview with some Sesame Street videos.
The reporter came as we were wrapping up. It was fun to watch the process of the interview and then see how it all came together for that night’s story. Ella was very interested in watching it all and Lily was very interested in the giant camera.
Happy Anniversary Dan and Carol, Dallas and Susan, Mike and Marla. Thanks for making 40 years look easy! We love you!
The story as follows:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/06/12/3-sisters-married-on-same-day-celebrate-40th-anniversary/
HAM LAKE, Minn. (WCCO) – You think planning one wedding is stressful, imagine having to plan three in one day. It was challenge 40 years ago for three sisters. On Sunday, they celebrated their wedding anniversaries in Ham Lake, Minn.
Susan and Dallas Hildebrand, Marla and Michael Konkol, and Carol and Dan Gutt looked back on that day at a Catholic church in Park Falls, Wis.
“Susan’s favorite color was green. Mine was blue. Carol had pink,” Marla Konkol said pointing to a scrapbook from her wedding.
The three sisters were three brides with their own personal styles and their own personal stories.
Carol got her ring just before Marla.
“So Marla came on board and said ‘Maybe we could think about a together wedding, as a double,’” remembered Carol Gutt.
After dating the same guy for eight years, the last sister started to feel a little pressure.
“Then, we got Susan on board,” Marla Konkol said.
On June 12, 1971 the priest performed three ceremonies in row.
Forty years has created an even closer bond. Not just for the sisters. Their husbands are basically brothers. Between the three couples, there are now nine children and nine grandchildren.
“Carol had the two boys, Susan had the two girls. And I had the five. I was blessed, I wanted a large family, a little of each,” Marla Konkol explained.
In four decades, they have learned what works in a marriage.
“You remember the good times of the past and you live for today and you look forward to the good times in the future,” said Dan Gutt. “Once you make the right choice, it’s easy.”
To celebrate 40 years together, the six will all spend a week in Montana at a lodge this August. The women helped plan the trip this time after their husbands planned their first anniversaries. That’s when they all ended up in Canada on a fishing trip.
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