50th Anniversary for Jim and Susan

When Russ and I first joined Westminster we met this family we loved. Jim and Susan Ketch and their daughter’s Katie and Megan. Katie was at NC State, but Megan was still in high school. When I was in a class at church with Susan I mentioned I was looking for a summer Nanny for Carter. Susan said Megan was looking for a job. It was a match made in heaven.

Megan became part of our family and we came to love all the Ketch family. To this day we sit in the same section of church as long as there are no interlopers. We jokingly call it the lector sector. It is slightly less full of lectors now that Jim sings in the choir, but that just means I get more time with Susan.

When we got the invitation for Jim and Susan’s 50th wedding anniversary we knew we had to be there. First it meant that Megan and her husband Max and darling boy Leon would be there. Second, it was going to be great fun with Katie and her husband Mark and kids, Lilly, Graham and Oliver. And of course it’s quite the accomplishment for Jim and Susan.

Our minister Chris came with his wife Carrie and it happens to be their 22 anniversary. So it was a celebration all around.

The Ketch offspring all gave speeches with each person choosing a word to describe Jim and Susan, Megan chose light, Katie chose faith and the son in laws and grand children all had words of their own. There were many tender moments especially when Lilly, now a college sophomore choked up with tears and then so did her Dad. Such a good son in law. Max, closed the family speeches by saying Jim and Susan’s only failing was their daughters had married down, which could not be farther from the truth, but it gave a moment of levity.

Megan said that at their 40th anniversary Megan asked them each for a word and they said independence and trust. Two excellent words to live by if you are looking for a long and happy marriage. Thanks to all the Ketch, Donoways and Ketch- Deacons for a lovely party for a favorite couple.