Thinking about Weddings

My Mom and Dad--Willoughby, Ohio, August 1947:

Robert P. Coughlin and Margaret Ann Fitzpatrick Coughlin

Dad had been home from his Navy service in World War II for about two years. He was 25 years old. Mom was 23. The wedding was held at Immaculate Conception Church in Willoughby, Ohio. I think Mom's cousin Lois Cherry (later Lois Goldie) was maid of honor. Mom was radiantly beautiful. Dad was drop-dead handsome. They couldn't have imagined a baby born 10 months later (me); another baby 2 years after that (Denny); then Mary Ellen three years after that; then Kevin; then Jimmy. A life full of ups and downs, as all lives are. I think of them as I reflect on Linda and my wedding 36 years ago in Cincinnati.