Ten years ago today, back in the Pasty Cam archives, these very photos appeared documenting how the U.P. is a great place to grow up and fall in love. We're revisiting them again today, to wish Ted and Joan Sullivan a Happy 50th Anniversary!

The history of their happy union began in their high school days at Calumet High School, where Ted (from Laurium) and Joan (from Eagle River) met and started dating. They attended the prom from their Sophomore year to their Senior year and young love began to bloom. When Charlie talked about the photos ten years ago, he pointed out the first year, how Ted is just standing side-by-side with Joan, looking a bit nervous. Then the next year he's moved a bit closer and the following year he has his arm around Joan, with a confident smile on his face. Four years later, this handsome young couple was married at Sacred Heart Church in Calumet.

Their young love began after Ted noticed Joan at Eagle Harbor beach the summer before their sophomore year, but they didn't actually meet until at a Halloween dance at Calumet High School, Ted asked Joan to dance. The song they danced to was a slow German song, popular that year, called "Seemann (Deine Heimat ist das Meer)". The English translation is "Sailor (Your Home is the Sea)" and it became "their song". A fitting song title for these young love birds, since Lake Superior surrounded them as their lifelong love began.

The Golden Anniversary couple's daughter Marissa is responsible for both the archive posting ten years ago and for today's feature. She was unable, of course, in advance of today's even, to supply us with a current photo of the honored couple, so we'll just have to picture them happily smiling at each other, celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and actually 57 years together, counting the years they dated up to that big day in their lives.

Our bonus video today is Ted and Joan's "song", the first one they danced to and which became their song throughout their courtship. It has been sung in English also, but their version was in German, so even if you don't speak the language, sit back and enjoy the melody. Seemann (Deine Heimat ist das Meer) - Sailor (Your Home is the Sea)". Happy 50th Anniversary, Ted and Joan!!

What a great story and Happy Anniversary!!!

Great song! Sitting here in Eagle River this morning, looking out over Lake Superior, listening to Lolita, takes me back to my Junior High days :o) I'd like to add my best wishes for Ted and Joan on their 50th. I've been in their summer home on several occasions here in Eagle River, and it's a pleasure to see their commitment to their family and each other.

On a sad note, another one of our seasonal neighbors, Tom Scanlan, passed away this week, taken much too soon by cancer. Our condolences to Sue and the family on the loss of this remarkable husband and father. I had the privilege of running in Sheriff Ron Lahti's posse with Tom and other neighbors, as we would begin the Special Olympics Torch Run in Copper Harbor, that would eventually crisscross the state.

We will miss you Tom.

Back row: Dick Mintkin - Jim Wachowski - Bruce Olson - Ron Lahti - Richard Schaefer
Front row: Charlie Hopper - Mike Dudenas - Tom Scanlan

I noticed that too ~ and how her dresses get more modest as the years go along! And he is allllmost smiling in 1963!

Nostalgic pix:
1961- Ted looks a wee bit wasted.
1962- Ted looks a wee bit confused.
1963- Ted looks...aaaahhh, back to wee bit wasted again.
Congrats, this one was meant to last.

Congratulations to Ted and Joan. May you enjoy 50 more years together! God's blessings to you both.

AAH YES- AND STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS--

To Joan and Ted,
From Raimo of "FinnFolk" band

We sing and play "Seeman" everytime we play music around the Copper Country. I sing it in German and I am working on the "Finnish" version for this summer. We will be at Hanko farm June 23, Hancock Finnish Heritage Center on June 24th and at Bruce Crossing dance June 25th. Also at South Range Eagles on "FinnDay", July16th.

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Let us know if you attend.

Regards, Raimo and FinnFolk