47 Years of Happiness – and What a Good Scout!

June 2 always has a big circle on my calendar – it’s the wedding anniversary for my lovely wife Ernestine and me.

We dated all through high school – both from small-town North Carolina communities – and I couldn’t have been happier when she agreed to marry me.

Neither one of us knew at the time how much we would grow together through a Scouting career, but 47 years later, we’re still very happy! We’ve also been proud to raise a very fine son who also was a Boy Scout. He is now married and they have a beautiful daughter.

Ernestine said once how Scouting helped me become the man I am today. While that’s partially true, I have to give credit where credit is due. My wife has been my guiding light through many tough decisions, happy moments, and life events that have brought us closer together as a couple and a team these many years. Ernestine’s support of Scouting and my work with America’s young people and great leaders over the years has been wonderful and inspiring – all wrapped with a big dose of patience and understanding. I consider myself to be very fortunate.

So, today I take a rare chance to highlight something more personal on this blog, and wish my bride of 47 years a Happy Anniversary!

Wayne