That beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime wedding dress we carefully clean and put away after one wonderful wearing – how many of us women ever wear it again?
Vera Mae Thoms wore hers again when she and her husband, Carlton, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. It fit just like it had 50 years ago, and Vera Mae and Carlton did a proud job of recreating their wedding portrait.
The Thoms met during World War II while both were teaching in Burbank, Calif. They were married on Christmas Eve 1943 in Englewood, Calif., while Carlton was attached to the U.S. Army Red Cross Services.
“Nothing is too good for my wife,” said Carlton of Vera Mae’s flowing satin gown, purchased during the lean war years.
Following the war, the Thoms continued to teach, and then Carlton went to work as an aerospace engineer for Lockheed. His career change brought them to Los Altos in 1960. Vera Mae joined the Saratoga School District in 1963 as district librarian, and worked there until her retirement in 1994.
The Thoms celebrated their 50th anniversary in their home with daughter Sharon, of Los Altos, and family friends.
