- September 21, 2024
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Father Jason Trull of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church leads the vow renewal ceremony for Ernie and Bea Wade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Bea Wade pins a boutonniere on her husband, Ernie Wade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ernie and Bea Wade celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary. Photo by Paige Wilson
Father Jason Trull of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church leads the vow renewal ceremony for Ernie and Bea Wade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ernie Wade leans down to kiss his wife of 69 years, Bea Wade, after their vow renewal ceremony. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ernie Wade’s first impression of his wife can be summed up in one word: “beautiful.”
Sixty-nine years of marriage later, speaking about Bea Wade brought tears to his eyes.
“I haven’t regretted one day of being married to her,” he said.
Ernie and Bea Wade, now 95 and 92 respectively, held a vow renewal ceremony on June 10, the day of their 69th wedding anniversary, at Market Street in Palm Coast.
While the couple lived in Sea Colony for 30 years, Bea Wade was moved to Market Street, a memory care facility at 2 Corporate Drive, on May 1.
The main plaza of the facility was converted into the ceremony space, lined with red roses and white lilies. Father Jason Trull, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church led the ceremony.
“This was a surprise,” Bea Wade said with a big smile on her face. “It’s a blessing.”
“I haven’t regretted one day of being married to her.”
- ERNIE WADE, Sea Colony resident
Ernie Wade still remembers the night he met the love of this life.
About a year after he finished serving in the U.S. Army in WWII, he was studying for an important test at a school in Washington, D.C., he said.
While he was studying, Ernie Wade’s roommate, Pat, walked in upset because his lady had ended things with him.
“He wouldn’t shut up, and I couldn’t do any studying,” Ernie Wade recalled. “I said, ‘C’mon Pat, I’m going to take you out and find you a girlfriend.’”
The two went to a local Knights of Columbus venue where the USO performed. Ernie Wade told Pat to dance with a lovely lady he spotted, but Pat said she wasn’t his type. This happened a view times, Ernie Wade said.
“I said, well Pat, while you’re looking for your type, I’m going to go dance with the first girl. She became my wife. … I took him out to find a girlfriend, and I found a wife.”
