Contributed photos

John and Sandra Shaffer celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently with a large gathering at their home in North East, hosted by their son, Michael, and several friends. 

They were joined in marriage on July 19, 1969, at South Harborcreek United Methodist Church by the Rev. Miles S. McConnell.

The romance started with letters sent back and forth to Vietnam while John was serving our country there. Although he was Sandra’s brother’s best friend, they vaguely knew each other. The love that was sparked in those letters has continued to grow to this day.

They are in the process of planning an overseas trip with their son in the near future to celebrate.