An Anniversary Tribute

There are many things one can say about Nancy and Frank McHale but you can’t say they are not in love. Or don’t know how to share love. Look around this room. They had six children and various entities of those offspring are here, right down to their youngest Great Grandchild.

Certain people said their marriage wouldn’t last, but of course, they were determined to prove those naysayers wrong. And they succeeded, right? 65 years later, they are still going strong.

This past summer, we had several reasons to get together with our extended family. The Rizzo Cousins seemed to dominate Facebook so many weekends, whether it was to see Nancy and her boys sing, (and an extra cousin, as well), parties because Trish came to visit, or Jenn; or because it was another ​ anniversary of Cousin Linda's 39th birthday.

Or Ginny FINALLY going, with her favorite cousin, to see her sister sing.

We had a great summer, especially as we celebrated Nancy and Frank’s 85^th birthday, For three weekends! And the proof of THAT is on Facebook, too.

All of you are here to show your love for Nancy and Frank as much as they have loved all of us. That extended family is here again, the children and grandchildren of some of my aunts and uncles.

We all have stories we could share, the effect both of these people had on us. Gouz bread, Santa in Corona or Howard Beach, or Floral Park. No Matter.

I have read that to a niece, an aunt is like your mom, only cooler, and I am sure Linda, Nancy and Ginny could all say this about their Aunt Nancy.

As for Frank? Put on Sinatra, Gleason or even the Beatles, just sit back and you can watch a great show.

The best part of being the oldest is that I have had a vantage point that no one else has had. It was a double edge sword that helped two people learn to be parents, paving the way for Jeff, Kathy, Tim, Roseann and Jackie. You are welcome.

But I have watched these fine people still in love after 65 years.

And today, you are all witnesses, too. Rarely does a couple make this milestone, generally because of age. But they have and that by itself is history.

On October 2, 1949 at 4pm these two people stood up to make a promise to each other when people told them they weren’t mature enough to understand what they were doing. They were right. They are as young and as in love now as they were then.

Sometimes it just pays to be TOO YOUNG.