The Schleede's at Lake Michigan this summer

Don't they look alike?!
Still smiling after 35 years!!
A perfect summer evening

Congratulations

Dear John and Linda,
Happy Anniversary! 35 years together is an incredible accomplishment and such a joy to witness. From sharing our first Mt. Pleasant Thanksgiving with you 14 years ago (or so) to marrying your son, I have been so blessed to know you and to be part of your family. I have loved seeing how much you love and support each other and those around you. I hope that Matt and I are blessed with a long marriage and know that we couldn't have a better example! Congratulations! I love you both!
Laura

Quote of the Day

My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.

- Winston Churchill

Good Times!

Congratulations aunt Linda and uncle Skip!!!!

Seems like just a few years ago, I was a little guy flying down snowy hills in Mount Pleasant or ice skating on a small lake. I looked forward to thanksgiving every year to see you and Matt and Kristine. Some of it might have been the shopping haha but you were like my second family and I appreciate you letting my parents and I partake in your lives. Although we've grown up and away from each other we still continue to get together and there is nothing more important or as exciting. Again congratulations and may the next 35 be just as memorable for the both of you!

Love,

Jason

A Letter from the Lepisto's

Dear Linda and John,

We want to congratulate you on your 35th wedding anniversary! We have known you for about 28 of those years!

Both of you have been dear friends to us over the years. John, you have been a colleague, department chair, dean, and friend at CMU. Linda, you have been a great friend and "mother adviser" providing insights and help in mothering Douglas and Scott. As a couple, we remember many gatherings at your home, including a baby shower when Brenda was pregnant with Douglas over 25 years ago - sure doesn't seem that ago. John, you and I celebrated our 40th birthdays together with Jim Burley. What a fun party that was...including the belly dancer.

Our memories include Immanuel Lutheran Church and the "stitching group" along with Marketing Department retreats and parties.

We have many fond memories of our time spent together over the last almost three decades. We wish you happiness and good health if the future.

With sincere congratulations on your 35th wedding anniversary,

Larry and Brenda Lepisto

Happy Anniversary

Kristine's first birthday party!

Congratulations on 35 years together! That is a wonderful accomplishment in this day and age. You have set a wonderful example for not only your children, but the rest of us as well. I remember very well the first time I met both you. I had seen you at church earlier in the day with an adorable baby girl. Later that afternoon I received a phone call from a friend who was babysitting that cute little girl. It seems that Kristine would not stop crying. I went to lend a hand and shortly after, you both arrived home. Luckily for me, it was the start of a great babysitting job that lasted until I went away to Interlochen. Your home was always a happy, positive, and welcoming place to be. I remember Linda sewing different things for me throughout highschool and making me a lovely pillow for my highschool graduation. Though distance has limited our visits over many years I remember fondly the times that we have been able to get together. Perhaps the thing that makes me feel the oldest is thinking back to when Kristine and Matt were both just babies. Now Kristine, along with Linda, is a Godmother to my own daughter. I couldn't have picked any better people!

You have accomplished amazing things over the past 35 years. Raising a wonderful family (not an easy job as I now know!), setting a wonderful example for how a great marriage should be, and welcoming others into your lives with such warmth and kindness. Enjoy your day of celebration! It's been wonderful to have been part of this journey with you. Annika says congratulations and she loves her Advent calendars that Linda and Kristine send each year. She talks about them all year long. Thank you for being such a wonderful family.

Congratulations

Congratulations on setting out on a journey together 35 years ago based on a bond of love, friendship, and faith. Your milestone as a couple is nothing short of remarkable. 35 years truly serves as inspiration to your children, family, and friends.

I wish I could provide a recap of a childhood memory or story of growing up around your family…perhaps a “One Time in Mount Pleasant moment”. I can tell you that it’s been an honor so far having the opportunity to know a very wonderful and impressive result of your union together. Kristine is a remarkable example of how your love, commitment, and strong values have impacted not only the people around you but also the world as a whole. Kristine is a very accomplished young business professional and is also a very loyal and trustworthy friend. I have had the opportunity to get to know you both as a result of my friendship with your daughter.

I look forward to seeing you enter into a new phase in your journey as husband and wife, but most of all as a family. Congratulations on 35 years!

Happy Anniversary!

-Amy Hodson