40th Anniversary -Marc and Julee Bernhisel

I did not realize, 40 years ago, when I saw this beautiful girl kneeling across the alter from me in the Salt Lake Temple, how fulfilled and happy I could be. We were married by Thomas S. Monson who declared to us, not only our marriage vows as husband and wife, but also pronounced the union of our future family together. When the temple ordinance, which bound us and our family together through eternity by the sealing power of the Priesthood, was declared, little did I know or anticipate our wonderful life together,






which Julee and I would have with the arrivals of our five outstanding children and our 17 delightful grandchildren. This family delightfulness has been enhanced a hundred fold with our companionship as missionaries in the Lord's service.

Each year on our anniversary, I give my sweetheart, Julee, at least a dozen roses (more now that we are out of the poverty of medical school, residency/fellowship, and academic medicine) and one-single white rose. The "One White Rose" is a fraternity song sung at "pinnings" (pre-engagement ceremony) and weddings. It was sung by my Sigma Chi Fraternity brothers at our wedding reception.

One White Rose
One White Rose, True love shows
Emblem of a sweetheart's love that cannot die

True to me she will be
So my love is like the rose of Sigma Chi
(original lyrics)

One White Rose, True love grows
Nurtured by God's love and by His charity
Bound by faith, in time and space
So our love will thrive and grow for all eternity
(my words)

I love my girl of 40 years and look forward to another year (slightly less now) in our mission and a great life afterward.