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Being happy in a mixed marriage (A humorous look at our past)

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

I know this title could be a touchy subject with some, but I have to laugh. Why? Because I have been studying the history of one of my newest listings. I recently listed a 1912 craftsman home called Schiller Station in Gresham, Oregon. Inside the home's walls during the remodel were found love letters from World War II, and a Homes & Garden newspaper from the 1952 Oregonian newspaper.

One of the magazines from the wall was Woman's Home Companion that was published from 1873 to January 1957. This particular issue was from August 1951 and talked about being in a mixed marriage.

I really didn't know what to expect and thought it could be very offensive compared to what we expect from society. But, instead it gave my wife and me a real chuckle as we read about this mixed marriage and how, at the wedding, the mothers began to fight, but in the end they had been together 30 years and very happy.

Now, I quickly realized that in 1951, what I was thinking a mixed marriage was, and what was considered a mixed marriage then, were two very different things. What kind of mixed marriage were they talking about? Oh, the dreaded Catholic-Protestant wedding that was just un-heard of, and how dare they mix religions!

But, the article talked about contracts for how and what religion they were going to raise the kids in, just as we talk about having pre-nuptial agreements in today's marriages. A divorce wasn't even considered, it was how they were going to live, not how they were going to separate.

So, what will the world think of our magazine (or blogs) in sixty years? Will they laugh at them as much as I laughed at the idea of a mixed marriage from 1951? I guess only time will tell! Also, if you would like to read this article as well as the other insightful articles from 1951, you can purchase the Schiller Station house and get this magazine as well as the home and garden magazine and the World War II love letters.

 

Comments (10)

Jennifer Esposito
JenRan Realty, LLC - Woodstock, CT
Your post reminded me of the show "If Walls Could Talk."  Finding these lost treasures is so much fun!  Not sure we want our blogs to still be around in 60 years-LOL.  By then the Internet will probably have a way to automatically delete old outdated info...
Feb 08, 2008 04:53 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Jennifer, Funny you should mention that, we have submitted the house for that show and hope to hear back soon.

Feb 08, 2008 05:12 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Very interesting Todd. Funny how things have changed over the years. I'm sure you are right that when folks read our blogs 60 years from now they will have a good laugh at oour expense. Sounds like you are really enjoying your latest find.
Feb 08, 2008 05:19 AM
Ron Avneri
Seattle, WA
Financial Professional

Ah yes, the olden days.

even 5 years ago was so much different

Feb 08, 2008 06:35 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Todd,

Were there any crisp or limp fifty dollar bills in those walls...kind of like a 'seller assist'? Thanks,   Fran

Feb 08, 2008 08:12 AM
Mary Warren
Las Vegas, NV
I remember those days well.  I was raised catholic.  It was a huge thing in the catholic church that one NOT marry out of their religion.  I married my husband in 1964....my parents about lost their mind over it because my husband and I refused to marry in the catholic church and raise our children catholic.  It was a MAJOR thing for them.
Feb 08, 2008 09:28 AM
Laurie Logan
Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Broker Associate - Madison, WI
South Central WI Real Estate

It surely was, one of my aunt's converted to Roman Catholicism and promised to raise the kids Catholic.  Another aunt married a Roman Catholic man, she didn't convert and a priest would not marry them.  They were married in her church.

I love finding old newspapers and magazines in the walls, especially reading the advertisements and seeing the prices! 

Feb 08, 2008 05:40 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
I wasn't sure what I was going to read when I clicked on your headline, but I knew it wouldn't be the obvious choice.  Nice post, my friend.
Feb 09, 2008 01:27 AM
Ryan Martin
Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial RE Broker
Todd - Great post. That was pretty funny. I just have to laugh when you learn about what used to be taboo. It has to make one think where we will be in another 57 years. 
Feb 09, 2008 04:06 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon
Bryant - I will as long as my wife doesn't see it! If she gets to see this place I'm going to have mortgage payments and college to worry about!

Ron - You are so correct!

Fran - He wishes!

Mary - You were married the exact same year as my parents, maybe that is why my grandmother never really liked my mom. Who knows, she was weird at times.

Laurie - We were also laughing at those. There was an advertisement for a movie coming our early next year "Alice in Wonderland"

Jason - Do I ever write the about the obvious choice?

Ryan
- I can already see society changing what is acceptable from what I thought was acceptable when I was in high school.
Feb 12, 2008 02:35 PM