Related by Marriage: Back to School

Suburban Chicago, 1965 or 1966. Mr. Irene is ready for another school year.

Related by Marriage: Snap Tie

Suburban Chicago, September 1969. Although Mr. Irene and I attended different grade schools, he and I wore similar uniforms.

Related by Marriage: Confirmation

Suburban Chicago, May 1968. Mr. Irene is ready to depart for his Confirmation ceremony. Although Mr. Irene and I grew up in the same suburb, he and I attended different parochial schools. My classmates and I wore our uniforms at our Confirmation. (The woman sitting on the porch is Danutė, the wife of Uncle D.)

The Feast

Every summer, Mount Carmel—that was Mr. Irene's parish—celebrates The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A religious procession is the highlight of the "Feast," but the Italian food and the rides are what draw most people to the celebration. This photo is from the seventy-fifth annual Feast; Mr. Irene's Mom took the snapshot from the front porch of the family home.

I attended a different parish and school—located about nine blocks from Mount Carmel—so I didn't even know about the Feast until I was in high school.