Happy 70th Anniversary, Ralph and Ella!

Ralph and Ella, cutting their wedding cake.
March 5 marks 70 years since Ralph and Ella's wedding in 1953! 


If they were here to celebrate with us, I imagine they would share the sweet story of how they met and their first date, how Ella gave Ralph quite a scare when he proposed, details of their wedding day and reception, and I hope that they would play "their song" on their record player while we ate bowls of ice cream in their Desert Rose china (They received this china for their wedding, displayed it in their china cabinet, and frequently used it throughout their lives.)


Here are some mementos from their special day:




Newspaper article in the Mesa Tribune,
dated 8 July 1952, announcing Ralph and Ella's engagement.


Their reception invitation



On the grounds of the Mesa Arizona LDS temple.



On the grounds of the Mesa Arizona LDS temple.


The beautiful couple!







Cutting the cake.



Admiring wedding gifts, including their Desert Rose china.



Left to right: Friend and bridesmaid Joyce Rogers,
Ella as the bride, sister and maid of honor Ina Findlay.


Bridesmaid Joyce Rogers and maid of honor
(and sister) Ina Findlay.



The Wedding party, left to right: George and Kate Findlay (Ella's parents),
Joyce Rogers (friend and bridesmaid), Ina Findlay (Ella's sister and maid of honor),
Ella, Ralph, Lee Johnson (best man), Juanita and Lester Johnson (Ralph's mother and stepfather).



Tribute poem written by friend Elva Brown, 
shared at Ralph and Ella's reception. 



Tribute poem written by friend Elva Brown, 
shared at Ralph and Ella's reception. 



Newspaper article from the Mesa Tribune,
sharing highlights from Ralph and Ella's special day.