"Reflections made on wedding advice given 50 years ago" from the September 11, 1979 Door County Advocate
By GLADYS SMITH
Reflections made on wedding advice given 50 years ago
By GLADYS SMITH
WORDS OF WISDOM?
A half-century ago. two young people very much in love, decided to get married. They had each other, wonderful families, many friends and very little of monetary value.
The bride from Grundy Center, Iowa, the groom from Buckingham, lowa and six attendants traveled in two cars to the Little Brown Church in Lashau, Iowa for the ceremony. The group returned to Waterloo, Iowa for a bridal dinner at Black's Tea Room. The bride wore a brown velveteen flapper dress. The groom had a new suit, his father's Model. A car and $10.
The following day they went to live with his family. His parents, sister and brother left that day for a trip to South Dakota, so the newlyweds could honeymoon at home.
Last week the young couple celebrated their Golden Anniversary. Years of love, labor and good health made this possible. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Lorenzen had their six children and 17 of the 21 grandchildren with them at this special occasion.
The ''words of wisdom" in "How to Perpetuate the Honeymoon" taken from Home and Health, by permission of W. H. DuPuy. A.M. D.D. was attached to their wedding certificate in 1929. Their son Loren read them and commented. "They have learned their lesson well."
Those words were:
Continue your courtship. Like causes produce like effects.
Do not assume a right to neglect your companion more after marriage than you did before.
Have no secrets that you keep from your companion. A third party is always disturbing.
Avoid the appearance of evil. In matrimonial matters it is often that the mere appearance contains all the evil. Love, as soon as it rises above calculation and becomes love is exacting. It gives all, and demands all.
Make the best of the inevitable. Persist in looking at and presenting the best side. Such is the subtle constitution of the human mind, that we believe what we will, also what we frequently tell.
Keep a lively interest in the business of the firm. Two that do not pull together are weaker than either alone.
Start from where your parents started, rather than from where they now are. Hollow and showy boarding often furnishes the too strong temptation, while the quietness of a humble home would cement the hearts beyond risk.
Avoid debt. Spend your own money, then it will not be necessary to blame anyone for spending other people's.
Do not both get angry at the same time. It takes two to quarrel.
Do not allow yourself ever to come to an open rupture. Things unsaid need less repentance.
Study to understand your companion's disposition in order to please and avoid friction.
Study to conform your tastes and habits to the tastes and habits of your companion. If two walk together, they must agree.
Gauge your expenses by your revenues. Love must eat. The sheriff often levies on Cupid long before he takes away the old furniture.
"How to Perpetuate the Honeymoon" guided Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzen for 50 years. These "words of wisdom" are as true today as they were 50 years ago. They will be true for eternity.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive