“God blesses the promise between man and wife. As two become one and begin a new life…” - Emily Matthews

On June 7th, Muriel and Calvin Linden celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Their story began with a man, a harmonica, and his horse on Spofford Ave. in Warwick. Calvin Linden and Muriel Rounds first met when Calvin delivered groceries on his horse through Muriel’s backyard. Soon after, the two would accompany each other on the trolley to church and their friendship blossomed into what would become an everlasting bond. The two were married at the Cathedral of St. John’s in Providence on June 7th, 1952, and later joined Pilgrim Lutheran Church on Warwick Avenue. They bought a home in East Greenwich and, while pregnant with baby number 8, moved to the Greenwood area of Warwick, a place they still call home. Raising eight children, one girl and seven boys, offered a lot of exciting times, problems to solve, shenanigans, and challenges, especially with the children being so close in age. Laundry was always a big project, as was dinner for ten. Their garage resembled a mechanic’s shop with cars and motorcycles for so many teenage boys. However, their love, laughter, support, music, and grace have carried them through.

Calvin was in the Navy Reserves for more than 20 years and every year would be gone for 2 weeks while Muriel held down “Fort Linden”. The boys would often play good natured tricks on their mom during this time, including one incident involving the television show “The Waltons”, the punishment for which still brings tears of laughter at family gatherings. Muriel, being no one to be messed with, prepared the offending brother a special sandwich in his school lunch where a dirty sock replaced what would have been the bologna in his sandwich. Each family gathering is filled with similar stories of laughter and memories of the mischief that happened throughout the years as a family of ten.

Muriel has always been very creative and specializes in creating fabulous cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other special events. She crochets blankets and makes quilts and doll clothes for the grandchildren. She loves reading and watching the Red Sox, (even keeping score.) She volunteered her time at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, first as a Sunday School teacher and then as the financial secretary for more than 35 years. Calvin, who was a carpenter until he retired at the age of seventy-one, enjoyed helping all his children with building projects around their own homes. He also volunteered his time at Pilgrim Lutheran Church and was an invaluable member of the Property Committee and the Food pantry, regularly picking up and delivering food to other churches in the area.

Because of Calvin and Muriel’s love for music, all his children learned to play musical instruments. Calvin still carries his harmonica in his pocket ready to play a patriotic song or his favorite old-time hymns, and his children and grandchildren love to sing along. Calvin also enjoys telling old stories which are fascinating to hear.

Calvin and Muriel love to hang out with their grandchildren attending school activities, sporting events, and going to church every Sunday where 4 generations still meet and worship together. They love their breakfasts after church at Buttonwoods Fish and Chips where Muriel even has a sandwich named after her! They can usually be seen sitting on the porch of their home or tending to their garden. The legacy of love Muriel and Calvin created includes eight children: Jean Lee and husband John of Herndon, VA, Tom and wife Pat of West Greenwich, RI, Stephen (Pop) and wife Lynne of Warwick, RI, Fred and wife Laurie of Warwick, RI, Calvin Jr (Sonny) and wife Teri of Ashland, NH, James and wife Robin of Coventry, RI, Glen of West Greenwich, RI and Peter of East Greenwich, RI. They have also been blessed with 21 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. As their children have grown older and had families of their own, Calvin and Muriel’s love for each other and their entire family has never diminished. In fact, it has only grown stronger. After seventy years together, they can still be found sitting on the couch together, holding hands and sneaking kisses to each other.

Bethany Linden wrote this article about her grandparent’s 70th Wedding Anniversary.