GUILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Two Guilford fair volunteers renewed their vows at the same spot they were married 25 years ago.
John and Barbara Hammarlund were surrounded by friends and their farm family as they renewed their vows Saturday night. They did it on the front porch of a yellow and mountain-green chapel. It was a cottage that belonged to Barbara’s grandparents then moved to the fairgrounds in 1998, the same year the couple became engaged. A friend added a steeple to the home, making it a chapel. The bell at the top is engraved with their names and wedding date.
The vow renewal ceremony was performed by Beef show judge Billy Booth.
“We’re gathered here today to celebrate the lives of Barb and John,” he said at the start of the ceremony. “Today is a celebration between them as their love grows deeper and stronger over the years.”
John is also celebrating 25 years of service as the Guilford Agricultural Society’s president. Their friends and farm family wore green shirts with John’s name on them as a surprise. Barbara is the society’s assistant secretary and a director. She describes the fairgrounds as a second home.
“It’s a chance for people, kids to see animals that have never seen animals before,” she said.
When asked about advice for newly weds, Barbara said, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”
“You got married because you cared about the person, you loved the person, you knew who they were,” she said. “Yes, throughout life there are things that happened. But you just forge ahead.”
Between the barns filled with stock, the couple exchanged their vows and re-exchanged their rings during a casual, brief ceremony. The couple promised their love to each other, again, surrounded by loved ones and the thousands that attended the Guilford fair.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
