We will be married 56 years in July.
I worked for General Accident Ins. Co. in compensation claims. I operated an IBM machine as part of my job.
Bob was assigned to the same insurance company, as an IBM technician.
As soon as the married girls in my office spotted him, they immediately set out to fix us up. They methodically took my machine apart and deliberately put it back together, of course incorrectly.
The first few times that we sent for assistance, the other “old” technician would appear. It wasn’t long before he figured out what was going on, so the next time, he sent Bob.
Bob said he knew exactly what we were doing, because when he entered our office, the first thing he noticed, was me trying to look casual, reading a book, upside down!
Then, putting the machine back correctly, and getting ready to leave, he turned around and politely asked me if I would like to meet him after work for coffee. That was our first date.
The most memorable thing that we have ever done together was getting engaged, while sitting at a red light, at Station Avenue and the White Horse Pike in Haddon Heights. There, he presented me with a beautiful diamond engagement ring.
We were married July 11, 1959, and went to New York City for our honeymoon.
Bob was chosen to be a contestant on the original “The Price is Right” TV show. Bill Cullen was the host.
Bob won a beautiful Lincoln Mark IV Continental, a luxurious swimming pool, a steam bath and a trip to the newest state, Alaska.
Everyone was so happy for us, but it was what we did next that I think dictated the rest of our lives.
We sold everything and bought our first house on Marlborough Avenue here in Marlton. There we had our five wonderful kids, Bobby, Tim, Lisa, Cyndy and Andrea.
After 13 years, we moved to Brush Hollow, right down the street from Cherokee High School, from where all of our children graduated.
We now have two super daughters-in-law, Leigh and Kathy and three great sons-in-law, Dave, Jim and Rob. Our 15 grandchildren are the blessings of our lives! You asked what makes us stand out as a couple. I don’t know whether it makes us stand out, but we love each other, we enjoy being together, and I will add, he always makes me laugh!
The lessons that we would like to share with other young couples are: (1) Learn to laugh at yourselves. (2) Forgive each other quickly. (3) Always consider the other to be more important. (4) Don’t waste time being over-sensitive. (5) Don’t hold a grudge, “Anger always does more harm to the vessel, in which it is stored, than to the one to whom it is poured!”
We will be married for 56 years in July. We are so glad we chose Marlton to raise our family. We wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
-Mickie Shea
