Couple Thought They Were Married For Nearly 50 Years - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 12-16-2012, 01:33 AM

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Couple Unlawfully Wed Nearly 50 Years
Marriage license never returned to clerk's office in 1964
Posted: Dec 26 2012 8:09 AM CST Updated: Dec 26 2012 8:30 AM CST

A Southern California couple spends nearly 50 years thinking they were married -- but they weren't. Bob and Norma Clark discovered the alarming oversight while getting their end-of-life documents in order. Requesting a copy of their marriage license for Social Security purposes, they were surprised when clerks in San Mateo County came up empty, the Redlands Daily Facts reported.

The Clarks met in college and took their vows before friends and family at a San Francisco church in 1964. They signed a marriage license, but their minister apparently never returned it to the clerk's office, where it becomes a marriage certificate, Los Angeles TV station KNBC reported. To make things official, the Clarks had to bring in witnesses to the county records office.

Most of the people at their wedding had since died, but the couple managed to find their maid of honor and junior usher for the ceremony. Their son, Alex, also attended, according to KNBC. "I got her a nice bouquet, and it was just a hoot," Bob Clark told the Redlands Daily Facts.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting.

Family Ties Forever! · 12-28-2012, 10:12 PM

Wow, that must have been a shock to find out they weren't legally married.

robyrob · 12-28-2012, 11:01 PM

living in sin all those years - they should be ashamed

ThomasE · 01-02-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

living in sin all those years - they should be ashamed

You beat me to it. OMG! The Lord ain't pleased!!!

Penny Lane · 01-03-2013, 11:46 AM

LOL How many sitcoms used this as a storyline? I can think of 2 right off the bat. I Love Lucy(The Marriage License) and The Dick Van Dyke Show.(Laura's Little Lie)

ZeldaGilroy · 01-05-2013, 08:07 PM

I think this is kind of a cute story. It does remind me of a sitcom storyline. I'm sure it was shocking to the couple though, but obviously they had a good sense of humor about it. The groom did buy her a bouquet and he said it was "a hoot."

12-16-2012, 01:33 AM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	Couple Thought They Were Married For Nearly 50 Years link Couple Unlawfully Wed Nearly 50 Years Marriage license never returned to clerk's office in 1964 Posted: Dec 26 2012 8:09 AM CST Updated: Dec 26 2012 8:30 AM CST A Southern California couple spends nearly 50 years thinking they were married -- but they weren't. Bob and Norma Clark discovered the alarming oversight while getting their end-of-life documents in order. Requesting a copy of their marriage license for Social Security purposes, they were surprised when clerks in San Mateo County came up empty, the Redlands Daily Facts reported. The Clarks met in college and took their vows before friends and family at a San Francisco church in 1964. They signed a marriage license, but their minister apparently never returned it to the clerk's office, where it becomes a marriage certificate, Los Angeles TV station KNBC reported. To make things official, the Clarks had to bring in witnesses to the county records office. Most of the people at their wedding had since died, but the couple managed to find their maid of honor and junior usher for the ceremony. Their son, Alex, also attended, according to KNBC. "I got her a nice bouquet, and it was just a hoot," Bob Clark told the Redlands Daily Facts. Distributed by Internet Broadcasting.
	__________________ Jenny Last edited by Family Ties Forever!; 12-28-2012 at 10:11 PM.

12-28-2012, 11:01 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,194	living in sin all those years - they should be ashamed
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01-03-2013, 11:46 AM	#5
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,248	LOL How many sitcoms used this as a storyline? I can think of 2 right off the bat. I Love Lucy(The Marriage License) and The Dick Van Dyke Show.(Laura's Little Lie) Attached Images
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

01-05-2013, 08:07 PM	#6
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	I think this is kind of a cute story. It does remind me of a sitcom storyline. I'm sure it was shocking to the couple though, but obviously they had a good sense of humor about it. The groom did buy her a bouquet and he said it was "a hoot."
	__________________ *Formerly FactsFan* "I always carry a spare wedding ring. A single girl never knows when lightning may strike." ~Zelda Gilroy

12-28-2012, 10:12 PM	#2
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	Wow, that must have been a shock to find out they weren't legally married.