Hanson 50th

HANSON 50th

Dick and Carol Hanson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2015, with a brunch at Lakeside Gardens in Portland, Ore. The special day was hosted by their daughter and son-in-law, Tami and Jon, and their grandchildren, Megan and Matthew.

Some couples go on a cruise or special trip to celebrate, but Dick and Carol wanted to share a day with some of the friends and family who have given such joy and meaning to their life’s journey. So they chose the beautiful Lakeside Gardens, complete with a pair of swans, bridges, trails and a picturesque lake. They then invited more than 100 friends and family members to come and enjoy great food, fellowship and fun. Dick told everyone who attended, “This is our cruise.”

Dick met Carol Hochstetter at Portland Union Academy (now Portland Adventist Academy). Their first date was part of the school-sponsored Harvest Ingathering program on Dec. 11, 1961, and they continue to date some 54 years later.

They were married on June 27, 1965, at the Mount Tabor Church in Portland. Some of the original wedding party, including the Bible boy and flower girl, attended the anniversary celebration.

The event was highlighted by a group called Tricky Dick and the Syncers. The group was composed of Dick, as the lead singer, and three wonderful friends providing the backup parts. All four were dressed in 1960–70s outfits complete with wigs. Dick sang seven carefully chosen love songs, from the era, to Carol, through the magic of lip-syncing. Everyone had a great time with lots of joy and laughter.

The event really embodied some of the central themes of their marriage: friends, family, sharing, service, love and laughter. And, Carol adds, “Our deep abiding faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the ‘glue’ that keeps us close to each other.”