Latners celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

It was fall (autumn) in the year 1974. Jacksonville was a quiet little town then, not like today. There wasn’t a lot to do for young people, except ride around, park in parking lots and have great conversation. Me and my friend Linda were driving around, it was chilly, so we went into Safeway to buy gloves. A friend of hers said come listen to this guy play guitar and sing. We did, and it was at that moment I knew he was the one I was looking for. I was quite shy and listened to his music. Maybe a week later, he asked on a date. I was 17, he was 22. It was magical; we went to Tyler Fair for our date and have been there nearly every year since.

He's the youngest of 13 children, I’m third from oldest of 11 children. Walter (Dale) was born in Alabama, and I was born in Germany (my dad was in the military). To meet in small town Jacksonville, having come from opposite sides of the world, is magical in itself.

We have two children together. Mikhael Latner and wife Kona and two stepchildren, Jasper and Landon Henderson, and two grandchildren; and Rachel Alford and husband Clint, and two grandchildren, Elijah Latner and Rowan Alford. They all are the greatest joy of our lives.

We have a blended family of a son, with four children and five grandchildren, who lives in Arkansas, and a daughter with three children, who lives in Colorado. 

We’ve been through good times and not so good, but have always known we were so blessed. Our faith and belief in one God has made our lives so happy, so full. There are a few things I wish we could change in our lives, but unable to do so, we have to continue to move forward and learn from our mistakes.

My maiden name is Blount. We have held Blount Reunions at the cabins at Lake Jacksonville for 20 years now. It’s always fun and exciting to look at photo albums from 15-20 years ago, watching everyone grow in love. 

Walter has his own business, landscaping, for most of his life, I worked various places only to retire from Winn Dixie Pharmacy. Oh, how we miss Winn Dixie! Atwoods now takes the place of Winn Dixie. I could not ask for a more perfect life than what we have. Other than our health declining, it is great. We are so proud of our children and grandchildren. We thank God, our King, for them every day. I can’t imagine life without them. I know it’s safe – no, true – to say that we are soulmates! I read somewhere that one in 500,000 actually find their soulmate, the two souls that are one. All our family and friends are so special to us. We couldn’t do it without them. We love you all!

 

Karin and Walter (Dale) Latner