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Renewed Vows: June + Andrew

JUNE + ANDREW

celebrating 58 years

MARRIED JANUARY 15, 1961 | RENEWED VOWS JANUARY 13TH 2019

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BYC Photography

Fifty-eight years later June and Andrew’s love story continues just as strong as when it first began in Central High School; Detroit, Michigan, 1958. Andrewfondly recalls how June “was a hall-monitor, checking to see if you had a reason to be in the hallway.” While going into his study hall class he noticed her stationed in the hall, prompting him to immediately ask for a hall pass as soon as class began.

According to June, “Andrew came sashaying down the hall” where she asked him for his pass. Saying that he didn’t need a hall pass he continued on his way to the boy’s lavatory, where June followed. “Would you believe a group of boys were playing cards” she recalls when entering the lavatory. Too intimidated to report the entire group, June left them to their game. This “no-pass-for the bathroom” pretense went on for a while, becoming playful banter until over time a friendship developed.

Realizing that they lived one street away from each other, June and Andrew began walking home from school together. Their conversations revealed more commonalities, like how neither of them has a middle name, and that their birthdays are one day apart. As they continued to get to know each other those feelings of friendship found a place in their hearts.

Although love was in the air, this was a difficult time for June, as her mother was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer - taking an emotional toll on the entire household. It was also during this time that Andrew’s presence was even more appreciated, being a consistent source of joy for June. That sentiment was certainly mutual, as Andrew recalls being enamored by June’s “lovely smile and beautiful personality,” attentiveness, and general encouragement - telling him he could do anything he set his mind to achieve.

Three years after their initial meeting, June gave Andrew the hall pass to her heart, when on January 15th of 1961, in her mother’s living room, they were pronounced husband and wife. The ceremony, though deeply meaningful, was all they could afford at the time. June expressed how she “had always wanted an official wedding with all the trimmings, walk down the aisle and wear a ‘real’ white wedding gown.” And so after fifty-eight years of love, affection, forgiveness, and friendship, June and Andrew’s dream wedding became a reality in the form of a vow renewal.

With over one hundred guests in attendance at the beautiful Los Serranos Country Club in Chino, California, June lit up the aisle in a gorgeous classic gown with tulle wedding wrap, pearl jewels, and topped with a tiara. Andrew, dapper in a classic wine-colored tux, awaited his bride at the altar, where, surrounded by the love of family and friends, they were once again pronounced husband and wife.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY FROM YOUR VOW RENEWAL? June: “As I walked down the aisle, seeing Andrew in his wedding attire with his best men beside him, wow, he looked good - this is what I’d been waiting for and it finally was happening.” Andrew: “The many testimonials of love from the people who have been with us throughout our 58-year marriage, the food, and fun enjoyed by all.”

58 YEARS LATER, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE? June: “Forgiveness, affection, love, have conversations to talk-out problems, be interested in the other person and be interesting yourself, and enjoy your sexuality.” Andrew: “How to forgive your spouse, show affection, love, talk about what happened in your day and be interested in your partner’s day.”

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO NEWLYWEDS? June: “Be yourself, honor God, your marriage vows, work together, love and laugh.” Andrew: “Honor God, take time for each other, work together, love, laugh often - and enjoy your marital sexuality.”

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