My grandparents are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary today! Happy Anniversary Grammy and Papa! This is such an amazing milestone for them and I wanted to do something to honor that accomplishment. I mean, to be honest, there aren’t too many couples who reach that anymore! I’ve been dreaming and scheming about doing this little project for such a long time. I wanted to truly celebrate them, honor them, and recognize them for their achievement.

I knew their wedding anniversary was approaching so I came up with the idea of staying with them for a few days, following them around, and document their lives through photography. Since they are 87 and 89, respectively, they were a bit timid at first with the whole idea. Grammy said they come from a time “when affection was only showed behind doors.” My whole concept was to stay behind the scenes, so to speak, and just capture their everyday lives in the truest form. I wanted to capture the little details in their lives that we typically overlook: sitting and reading the paper, watching TV, preparing dinner, washing the dishes together (Grammy would wash and Papa would dry/put away!), Papa napping in his chair, Grammy’s famous quilts, detailed shots of their home, and our breakfast date at Perkins (they go to Perkins every Thursday and share the same meal)!

I want this post to be something that my Dad, Mom, Brothers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and my Sons can remember them by. We can look back at these images and reminisce about all the memories we made while visiting them in their adorable little home. I want to be able to remember the way their home was decorated, the smell of Grammy’s fresh baked bread lingering through the house, the eerie silence after Papa mutes the television during commercials, Grammy’s collection of thimbles, and the sound of Papa flipping through his newspaper. These memories are ones I’ll hold on to for the rest of my life.

So here’s to you, Grammy and Papa. Thank you for being such amazing role models in my life. You are both so caring, loving, funny, and just all around beautiful people. 65 years of marriage is an amazing accomplishment and I can only hope one day I will reach that milestone with my husband too. You’re such a wonderful example of true, unconditional, beautiful love. xoxoxo

Howard Sigurdson and Doris Bartness were married on this day, April 16th, 1950. A few short years later, they built their home on Johnson Street and have lived there ever since. Together, they have 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Meet Grammy + Papa

How did you meet?

G: Bible School

P: Hartland Free Shows

While we were eating at Perkins, I had asked Grammy and Papa how they first met each other. Grammy was 14 at the time when her brother, Donny, had told her one of his friends had a crush on her. Little did she know, Donny was saying the exact same thing to Papa. He went behind each of their backs, scheming to get them together! His plan eventually worked because a little while later, Grammy and Papa went on a date to the movies! They were together for 7 years before Papa asked, “should we get married?” They tied the knot on April 16, 1950.

What do you admire about each other?

G: I love his honesty.

P: She is smart and hardworking.

What is the single most memorable moment of your marriage/life?

G: Attending my first prom with Sig.

P: The day I came home for good from the Army.

What are you most thankful for in your life?

G: I’m thankful for healthy children and for all of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I’m so thankful to be able to see as many as we can. We have been blessed in so many ways. I truly believe God had his Angels looking out for us keeping us from any major harm!

P: Good health and good family.

What are you favorite things to do?

G: Sewing, computer, baking with yeast, cooking and we both love to go to Perkins for Breakfast!

P: Driving and sight-seeing around Albert Lea.

What is something you’re looking forward to?

G: I want to have 70 years of marriage and be able to see my family grow every year as we welcome new in-laws and grandchildren!

What’s one piece of advice you have for couples?

G: “Forgive and Forget”

P: “Look at all of the good things”

Are you interested in having your parents or grandparents captured for a wedding anniversary? Contact me for details!