John and Annie Glenn don’t really have a very exciting “how they met” story. John and Annie have known each other their entire lives. Growing up in Ohio, their parents were close friend, and often plunked their baby boy and girl together to share a playpen. The childhood friendship blossomed, and all through high school. everyone knew that any event would have John and Annie coming together. They shared a love of music, a love of each other, a deep bond, and an unbreakable trust.
As John’s fame catapulted his young bride into the public spotlight, Annie’s secret struggle, her disabling stutter,became even more of a burden . Never a problem with her best friend, John, Annie was rendered literally speechless when in any public setting.
After years of frustration and struggle, Annie finally found an intensive speech therapy program which worked. John Glenn wrote of his wife’s experience,
"I saw Annie's perseverance and strength through the years and it just made me admire her and love her even more...I don't know if I would have had the courage."
They’ve loved and supported each other through trying times and dangerous journeys.
As a Marine, John flew nearly 150 combat missions and later flew the famous Friendship 7 mission on February 20, 1962. Before dangerous deployments, or the terrifying 4 hours:55 minutes:23 seconds of space travel, the Glenns practiced the same good-by ritual. Using the lyrics of an old song, John would say,
“I’m just going down to the store to get a pack of gum.”
Annie replying,
“Don’t be long.”
When John Glenn went up in the Space Shuttle Discovery, on October 29, 1998, he handed Annie a small pack of gum to hold until his safe return.
This week on April 6th, 92 year old Annie and 90 year old John will celebrate 68 years of marriage. Here’s to a wonderful life of love and adventure….God speed, John and Annie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn
