by Winnie Hsiu
November 9, 2011 12:53 PM
What do a mini storage business, a golden anniversary celebration, and 11/11/11 have in common? Lots. Especially if you happen to be Dan and Norma Burnett. The Burnetts own Burnett's Mini Storage in Boonville, Missouri, and they will be celebrating their golden anniversary this Friday, November 11.
In this day and age when divorce rates are so high, staying married for 50 years is a great accomplishment. It really isn't something that is super easy to do. Dan and Norma agree that they have had some tough times. Dan's battle with cancer was especially difficult.
When asked what their secret was to a long and successful marriage, Norma commented that it takes work. Not necessarily lots of hard work or hard work all of the time. But a couple does have to work at keeping a strong relationship. She also said that it takes patience and understanding, too.
Dan and Norma met in the first grade. Dan lived up the street from her. While they were childhood sweethearts and they did a lot of things together, they split up after their high school graduation and went their separate ways.
Occasionally, Dan returned to Boonville to visit relatives. On one of those visits, they bumped into each other. Norma said, "The rest is history." They were married on an overcast, dreary November day at the First Baptist Church in Boonville.
At that time in 1961, they never gave 11/11/11 a thought. Other than possibly it would be their golden anniversary. However, just days away from 11/11/11, much is being said about that day. Why?
In medieval times, people connected positive and negative things to numbers. The numbers 10 and 12 were considered divine numbers. Stuck between these numbers, 11 was considered evil and represented sinners. Today, many people consider that the impending date seems ominous. This year, people claim nothing but horror and bad luck will happen on that day. A horror movie has been especially made for that day.
But Dan and Norma don't consider it evil. It will be a day of joy and happiness for them and their family. Their son and his wife will host an anniversary celebration for them on Saturday.
Happy golden anniversary, Dan and Norma!
Their storage facility, Burnett's Mini Storage, is on 1503 Bingham Road, Boonville, Missouri.
Sources Used
"Boonville couple to celebrate golden anniversary." Boonville Daily News; 8 November 2011.
"What's so special about 11/11/11." MSNBC; 7 November 2011.