One hundred and two years ago today, Martha “Heart” Carmichael and Henry T. Medlock were married in a small ceremony at her home. The two, who met five years earlier, socialized in the same groups in Edgfield, South Carolina, and Augusta, Georgia, and exchanged letters when they were apart. Henry believed he came to Edgefield just to meet her, suggesting he was taken with her from the start. Heart’s affections were slower to develop, but after they were engaged, Martha expressed joy in being needed by him.

Despite the young couple’s joy, Heart and her family were in mourning. After a sickness of several weeks, Heart’s father passed away 8 February 1914. When Henry proposed isn’t known but in a letter to him on 26 February, Heart discusses their wedding plans and how to tell her mother: Yes, to getting married in April. No, to getting married and then telling her mother. Later, to when to tell her mother.

The local newspaper reported that the wedding was held 30 April at Heart’s home. Only family and a few relatives were in attendance due to Dr. Carmichael’s death but the “halls and parlors of the home were decorated with natural flowers, roses and sweet peas, predominating. The conventional wedding march was dispensed with. The bride entered the parlor with the groom.” Following the wedding, they honeymooned in Washington, D.C., and New York City.

Happy Anniversary, Heart and Henry!