Sometimes old photographs are special because they are “new”. Of the hundreds (thousands?) of family photographs I’ve gone through (multiple times) this one struck me this week because I don’t recall ever seeing it before. It shows my paternal grandparents, Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015) and Betty Grace Hanley Sears (1924-1981).

They were high school sweethearts and I am guessing this was taken prior to their marriage in 1946. It appears to be summer and they are standing in the middle of some sort of water garden scene.

The Picasso styled shirt and wide brimmed fedora type hat is a look I am not used to seeing my grandfather in. My grandmother is wearing a pretty floral dress. They both appear to have sunglass held in their hands. If you look closely you can see a ring on my grandmother’s left ring finger, perhaps an engagement ring.

I’ve never actually heard their engagement story. Perhaps it is time to ask around!

Thanks for taking a look at the Family History Artifact of the Day Challenge! Every day in May I will be posting a family artifact or heirloom. I hope you’ll join!

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