Our 37th wedding anniversary.

I still say "I do!"

Then...

....and now!

Me more, my darling!  xo

Our 36th wedding anniversary.

April 3, 1982

My happy wedding day!

The young couple, very much in love.

Looking back 36 years, it seems like a dream.

I'm thankful Robert chose me to marry, and that he has been a sweet and gentle husband all these years.

I'm thankful to God for allowing our paths to cross.

Marriage is a beautiful process which reflects God's holy love to the church, the bride of Christ. It is for consummation between one man and one woman, for as long as they both shall live. It is a deep mystery and one not to be taken lightly.

My dear family, who loved and supported Robert and I.

I'll love you forever, my sweet bridegroom and husband.

By Loretta Williams Houben

Happy 62nd anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Happy 62nd anniversary, dear Mom and Dad!

I find it hard to believe, but you've remained together through thick and thin, the good times and the tough.

You've remained true and faithful to each other.

It's rather astounding in the world in which we live.

Not many seem to take marriage vows seriously and they divorce right, left and center.

But I'm thankful you two decided before God to remain dedicated to one another, forsaking all others. You didn't give up at the first glitch, or separate when your first son died prematurely, 60 years ago. 

Your love for God has strengthened you, and Christ's love has held and carried you through life's storms and joys.

This, to me, is what marriage is all about.

May God bless you richly on your special day.

Love from Robert and Loretta

I sent special greetings to CTV morning news, and they put a special anniversary greeting on TV last Friday.

HERE is the link to the clip. 

My parent's greeting is number five in the greetings for the morning.

  

Our European trip; May 17 - June 2, 2017

Three weeks ago we returned from our trip to Europe, to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.

It was shorter than 10 years ago, and Matthew didn't come with this time. We visited London, Somerset, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Port Meirion, Dublin, Oxford, Paris, Maastricht, Frankfurt and Heidelberg.

The above 2 photos were taken at YVR before we set off. As usual we got there by taxi too early, but I always have a fear of not getting there in time, so we browsed the shops, and had supper before boarding the plane. I think YVR is a very pretty airport.

After 2 nights in London we traveled by train for 2 hours to Castle Carry, where we caught an expensive taxi to Wells. We spent 2 nights here, and I could cheerfully have spent 2 weeks. John Chant, a distant relative of the Palmer family, came and picked us up at noon and drove us to 

Stoke-sub-Hamdon, place of the Palmer ancestors. It was a dream come true! Here I am with John at Ham Hill.

Here I am at Stoke Priory, a medieval hall in 

Stoke-sub-Hamdon.

John and Robert in Stoke Priory.

Another of my dreams come true; St Andrew's Cathedral, commonly known as Wells Cathedral. Elizabeth Goudge was born close by in 1900.

And yet another dream come true; Geufron Terrace where my paternal Grandfather, John Griffith Williams was born, in Blaenau Ffestiniog. We loved Blaenau!

Robert at the Llechwedd Slate Mines.

We visited Port Meirion on our full day in Blaenau.

We rode the one hour long old Ffestiniog train down, and spent a few hours. This is where "The Prisoner" was filmed 50 years ago.

Capel Pisgah, a renovated Welsh miners chapel, where we stayed for 2 nights.

On our way to Paris!

In Paris!

In Dublin, Ireland!

In the doll museum in Paris!

In Theu and Ellie's garden in Maastricht!

We had a delightful time.

By Loretta Houben

HAPPY EASTER 2017!

Happy Easter!

He is risen indeed!

I'm so thankful for this day. I believe in the Cross on Mount Calvary, and I believe in Christ Jesus who has saved me from my sin, and took my place so I have the hope of Eternal Life.

Me and Robert on Easter Sunday 2017.

Myself in the outfit I bought for our 35th wedding anniversary on April 3rd.

Daffodils in Victoria BC, where we spent our 35th anniversary.

Me in the Victoria butterfly gardens, which I enjoyed thoroughly! Robert below.
If you stand still, the butterflies land on you.

Eating our fancy dinner at the James Bay Inn Hotel, where we stayed. It was built in 1911 and it was fantastic, in the historic area of James Bay in Victoria BC.

Clover Point in Victoria; we had a lovely weekend away.

I'm so thankful for my dear hubby, who has stood by me all these years.

On March 31 my Dad was rushed to Burnaby Hospital with a serious infection. It had entered his blood, and after tests and an MRI the Doctor finally found a blocked 3" in circumference kidney stone. After an operation, my Dad, Jack Williams was finally released home on Good Friday, after spending 2 weeks in hospital.

We are so thankful and relieved, as he is 87. He did very well, and knew all the nurses by name. He was a great trooper!

By Loretta Houben

My parent's 61st anniversary!

Congratulations to my dear parents, Jack & Susie Williams, on their 61st wedding anniversary today!

In today's mixed up world, which doesn't seem to have a clue what true marriage is or how to maintain it, it's amazing that a couple are still together after 61 years.

The government should give them a medal or some acknowledgement, but of course that is probably not feasible.

The marriage was made before God and is precious in His eyes.

He takes note and is aware of the unions made before Him and breakable only by death.

After all, there are no marriages in Heaven; none made and none kept. It's a sobering thought.

May the Lord deeply bless you, dear Mom and Dad.

Love from Loretta & Robert.

Our 34th anniversary

April 3, 2016

Our 34th anniversary.

We ate dinner in the evening at Top's Restaurant on Kingsway; one of our favourite dining places. We would go here regularly in 1981 for hot cocoa after church service, in those good old days when the church we once attended was at the corner of Rupert and Kingsway. Robert drove the church bus for the cub Scouts to Alice Lake this weekend, so I was by myself until he got home at 5 pm. I kept myself occupied though doing genealogy research, and visiting my parents on Saturday. 

I find it hard to believe where the years have gone. It really doesn't seem like 34 years of living together; each year slides into the next, one day after another, just doing the simple things of life, but sharing it all together.

That's the joy of marriage! And we believe like the Bible teaches; marriage is for one man and one woman, united for life, until death parts them.

It's very old fashioned indeed, but it's God's way.

Robert gave me a pretty bouquet of a dozen crimson roses after dinner.

"A threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:12

By Loretta Houben

Happy 59th anniversary to my dear parents!

By Loretta Houben

Labour Day and a 58th Anniversary!

On Labour Day, Sept 2, 2013 we invited our family over for a celebration.

We had a feast planned, which was to be eaten on our new deck!

Plus it was also to celebrate my parent's 58th wedding anniversary on Sept 3.

But it was so hot and muggy outside, we had to eat inside.

Our new deck, installed by a friend of the family, is wonderful.

However it needs a railing around it, and some sort of awning so it's not quite finished.

My parents admiring the new deck and my flower garden.

You can see we live in the big city. The skyline is growing.

The land they stand on used to be a fruit orchard, then a warehouse site.

Robert BBQing marinated sweet and sour chicken and beef strips.

We love our new deck!

Mmm...my Mom brought a macaroni salad, and I made a 7th heaven salad.

We also had crackers and Brie cheese and corn on the cob.

Kelsie loves bubbles!

She tries to catch them. She loves it when company comes over.

We had tea and a black forest sponge cake from St. Germain's bakery.

Happy 58th anniversary, dear Mom and Dad!

God bless you both.

by Loretta Williams Houben