Charles Randall Rice married Deborah Ann Lowry on May 5, 1973 at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was 22 years old, and a recent graduate of the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. She was 20 years old and a student at the University of Southern Mississippi. They met on December 31, 1971, the night the year turned to 1972, on a blind date set up so that Dad would have a date to a dinner party he was supposed to attend. His date had stood him up at the last minute. Apparently, her fiancee' came to town unexpectedly. (In his defense, Daddy didn't know she was engaged, but I had to put that in, because you just can't make this stuff up.) Mom was supposed to work that night at the telephone company, but just as she got to work, her boss, the hostess of the dinner party Dad was threatening to back out of, told Mom she would give her New Year's Eve off of work if she would come to her house for a dinner party. Mom accepted her generous offer, and aren't we glad. By Thanksgiving, they were engaged.
Thirty-two years and five children later, I'd say it's pretty clear it was all meant to be.
This photo was taken in 1978, and it's one of my favorites of Mom and Dad. Isn't my mom a pretty lady? Isn't my dad handsome? And isn't his hair awfully long?
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Daddy. We love you so much and wish you many, many more years of your happy marriage.
Comments (14)
Happy Anniversary Randy and Debbie!
I Love You, Emily
Posted by Emily | May 5, 2005 6:18 AM
Posted on May 5, 2005 06:18
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DEBBIE AND RANDY.
DAN & NANCY STUBBS
Posted by Dan Stubbs | May 5, 2005 6:22 AM
Posted on May 5, 2005 06:22
this is Audrey and Mommy told me that the reason they had five children was that they had to keep trying till they got it right. And that would be me! :)
Posted by Mom | May 5, 2005 6:33 AM
Posted on May 5, 2005 06:33
Ahwwwww!!! Thank you, Haley! I Love You, Mom
Posted by Mom | May 5, 2005 6:43 AM
Posted on May 5, 2005 06:43
Another little-known tid-bit of history goes along with this story. Less than one year following the nuptual event, the young couple found themselves way down in Mexico. They were out of money and down on their luck. Unable to find honest work, they turned to armed robbery. Due to thier physical appearance, they were not able to blend in among the locals. Thus the couple were quickly found out, and the chase was on. For two long weeks they blazed their way from one dusty town to the next while the Federales stayed close on their heels. They also became instant celebrities to the local peasants.
On May 5th, as the law was closing in the young lovers swam the Rio Grande with about 2,000 of their new found Mexican friends. This event happened at the lonely Texas outpost of Langty. The local Texans have tried to forget that fateful day as this event started the the wave of Mexican illegals into the United States. On the other hand the event is also celebrated by Hispanics all across the world as Cinque de Mayo.
We could go on and discuss what happened on Randy's bithday which happens to be July fourth, but that it another story.
Happy anniversary and Cique de Mayo.
Posted by Martin Rice | May 5, 2005 6:43 AM
Posted on May 5, 2005 06:43
Yes, Audrey, we all know you are the far superior child. In all of Audrey's baby pictures, she has her right index finger pointing up as if to say "I'm Number One." That turned out to be kind of her outlook on life. :) Love you, Audge.
Posted by Haley | May 5, 2005 12:59 PM
Posted on May 5, 2005 12:59
Debbie and Randy,
Happy Anniversary...I Love you both. Merry Lynn
P.S. I guess Haley couldn't find the Buffalo Head pictures.
Posted by Merry Donner | May 5, 2005 1:19 PM
Posted on May 5, 2005 13:19
Happy Anniversary Randy and Debbie! This reminder of your anniversary and the picture of you two as a very young couple bring back fond memories of your wedding day. The Lord has truly blessed the two of you in so many awsome ways. Have a wonderful day. Love, Julie
Posted by Julie Lindsay | May 5, 2005 2:02 PM
Posted on May 5, 2005 14:02
Wow... 32 years! Incredible. Beautiful photo. Haley, your folks are wonderful role models for the rest of us...
Posted by Rebecca | May 5, 2005 2:42 PM
Posted on May 5, 2005 14:42
Happy Anniversary, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Randy! I hope ya'll had a great day! I love you both so much! ~Adrian
Posted by Adrian Lowry | May 5, 2005 9:45 PM
Posted on May 5, 2005 21:45
Randy and Debbie:
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Eileen and I are right behind you for our 32nd. We are praying for y'all.
Posted by Amzi | May 6, 2005 8:58 AM
Posted on May 6, 2005 08:58
Happy 32nd anniversary. audrey, as courtney says, "I'm the baby, you gotta love me!) We all do. Randy and Debbie, ya'll are an inspiration to all of us. Here's to 32 more years.
Posted by Barbara | May 6, 2005 2:18 PM
Posted on May 6, 2005 14:18
Happy Anniversary to Randy and Debbie, parents of Aaron Rice!
I know you are missing Aaron and Kelly, but we sure are enjoying them here.
Glenn Bratcher
Washington, DC
Posted by Glenn Bratcher | May 6, 2005 5:40 PM
Posted on May 6, 2005 17:40
Happy Anniversary Randy and Debbie
I remember when we celebrated our anniversarys by meeting in Jackson and eating at Nicks, do you remember that Debbie? I still have the poloroid picture the waiter took of us. We may have to celebrate our anniv. together again and go somewhere exotic!!! Sounds like fun to me!!
We love you both so much and pray for you and your precious children and daughter -in-law .
love you,
rob and vicki
Posted by vicki coker | May 6, 2005 5:41 PM
Posted on May 6, 2005 17:41