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The Kiss


This photograph captures the joyful love of newlyweds after their secret wedding.  Marvin and Nina are the couple, and their brother-in-law, Doyle is standing by.  The photographer, Belle (Banta) Zeiler is very close to all three people in the picture, as she is Nina's best friend, Marvin's sister, and Doyle's wife.  Doyle and Belle were also newlyweds and the two couples were on their way to a reception in Bucklin, Kansas.  Taken in September 1928 with their Model T parked along a dusty road.  


The rest of the story:  Marvin and Nina were high school sweethearts. They had great prospects for college after graduation.   He had a football scholarship to the University of Alabama and Nina was enrolled in the nursing program at Park College thanks to her grandmother's generous sponsorship. However, they soon discovered that they could not bear to be apart.  Marvin found his way to Nina and proposed.  She said yes and they quickly eloped.  They followed their hearts rather than scholarship.


Marvin and Nina knew their decision would not be popular at home. Her grandmother made the discovery while reading the newspaper and saw her name on the list of marriage licenses. Nina's family was very upset and furious when they heard the news. Her father wanted the marriage annulled but Nina refused.  Her decision also led to trouble at school.  Nursing students were not allowed to be married at that time and she was immediately dismissed from the college.    

 

On a happier note, Marvin’s family was supportive when they heard the news.  They gathered at the Willard home in Bucklin, Kansas to celebrate the newlyweds and wish them well on life’s journey.  


Marvin and Nina's Reception. From the left: Doyle Zeiler, Aunt Effie Willard, Belle (Banta) Zeiler, cousin Phyllis, Uncle Willie Willard, cousin Elsie, Grandma Willard, Nina (Stearns-Smith) Banta, Mother Banta, Grandpa Willard, Marvin Banta. Bucklin, KS, 1928.

From the Left: Doyle and Belle, Nina and Marvin. 
Children: Billy Zieler, Marian Banta and Jimmy Banta.
Lamar, Colorado, 1933.  

Marvin and Nina were fiercely independent and like most young couples believed that love would conquer all.  


Their love would survive the financial hardships of The Great Depression, the sacrifices of World War II, the health burdens of lung disease and cancer, in addition to all the day-to-day challenges of raising their children Jimmy, Marian, and Patricia.  


Marvin and Nina were my grandparents, and we were very close.  I was blessed to see them most days while growing up.  Their daughters (my mother Pat and my Aunt Marian) lived two doors down from each other.  Marvin loved to come by for coffee and check in with them, and Nina would call in the evening as well.  They took special care to be with us, to talk with us, and to love us.   They showed us that happiness need not be tied to material possessions; and that nothing is more important than love.  




Comments

  1. BarbaraJanuary 9, 2025 at 11:51 AM

    Love this story. The photo itself is amazing and when the story is told it bring the photo alive. :P

    ReplyDelete

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