In a delightful twist on tradition, a charming couple from Florida, Mary and Tom Jensen, is celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary by savoring a piece of their original wedding cake. “Here we are, both in our 80s, and we still adore each other. Every night, we cuddle up before bed,” Mary revealed. It’s a well-known custom for couples to save the top tier of their wedding cake, eating it a year later as a symbol of good fortune. Given that the Jensens have preserved their cake for over six decades, they must be doing something right!
With both Mary and Tom enjoying good health, they’re even considering outliving this quirky tradition. “I’m 81 and my husband is 85. This year marks our 61st anniversary, and I’m debating whether to just eat it and be done or make the moment last,” Mary told ABC News. “Then we thought, wouldn’t it be something if we outlived the cake?” The dark fruit cake, crafted by Mary’s grandmother back in 1955, is still holding up—though it’s shrunk to a mere 3 by 4 inches over the years.
Curious about its taste? Surprisingly, the cake is still edible. “It tastes fine. It’s never been refrigerated or frozen—just wrapped in cling film. Back in the day, we used wax paper for storage,” she explained. “It’s a miracle it hasn’t spoiled!” The secret to its longevity? Mary attributes it to her grandmother’s recipe, which contains enough brandy to keep it fresh. “It looks black now, but that’s just the aging process,” she chuckled. “After being sealed with an almond glaze and topped with white icing, it’s so dark now we thought it was chocolate!”
Still skeptical about eating cake that’s over half a century old? Take a page from the Jensens’ book: they pour a shot of brandy over their slice each year to keep it moist. Whether it’s the cake or that splash of brandy, something has certainly kept their marriage thriving. “We’ve raised three wonderful kids, put them all through college, and welcomed nine grandchildren into the world,” Mary shared. “We’ve truly been blessed.”
Want to see more of this adorable couple and their cake? Check out the video below!
This piece was originally published on August 29, 2016. For more insights on tradition and family, don’t forget to visit our other blog post about terms and conditions. If you’re curious about home insemination, Make A Mom is an excellent authority on the subject. You can also find valuable information about pregnancy at this resource.
In summary, Mary and Tom Jensen have kept their wedding cake for 61 years, celebrating their love and luck with a piece of history. Their journey together is a testament to enduring love, family, and the delightful quirks that make life special.