Celebrating 70-Years and a Family Legacy

Yup, there was good reason to clap several times during last night's gathering at Western Pleasure Guest Lodge. 

Family and friends of Jim and Virginia Wood helped the couple celebrate 70 years of a marriage which began on Jan. 1, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Sandpoint.

Jim's brother Bob and his wife Bernice stood up for the couple at their wedding ceremony.  Then, they took off in a Model A Ford, bound for Naples where they honeymooned.

Yesterday Jim and Virginia drove by the cabins where they spent the first night of their marriage.  

No Model A, this time.  No stopping off at the cabin. 

Instead, they drove on just a little further to the home of Bert and Liz Wood.  Bert is Jim's nephew.  

Bert's wife Liz and her siblings, along with almost every member of the family, were celebrating the 100th birthday of their patriarch, Francis McNall. 

The Woods and McNall's, longtime area ranch families also share relatives by marriage.  Some of those relatives were celebrating the birthday of one grandpa and the anniversary of another set of grandparents.

It was an emotion-packed day, according to Louise McNall Wood, oldest daughter of Francis McNall. Her husband Steve is the son of Jim and Virginia.

Lots of connections, and lots of longtime memories of both families for pretty much every adult in the lodge last night.  

The kids?  Well, for them, memories are just unfolding, but it's obvious from watching their focused expressions during the festivities that yesterday's family events will stay tucked away in their hearts and minds forever. 

Bill and I were honored to be among the friends in attendance last night.  

Like the fabulous spread of home-cooked dishes prepared at the Lodge by chef Shelley Yeck and Wood family member Jesse Stanley, an additional huge buffet of visiting opportunities with longtime friends was almost overwhelming but so fun!

Great job, Wood family!  All I've got to say is "WOW!"  What a celebration and what a legacy!

Thanks to all for some fabulous friendship moments.