Nancy Reagan says 'seems like yesterday' on eve of 48th

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ronald and Nancy Reagan celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary this weekend as the shadow of Alzheimer's disease dims the former president's golden years.<br><br>The couple

Thursday, March 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ronald and Nancy Reagan celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary this weekend as the shadow of Alzheimer's disease dims the former president's golden years.

The couple has been together since their first date in the 1940s when they were Hollywood actors, then on to the California governor's mansion, the White House and their sunset years at their Bel-Air home.

"Although it sounds like a cliche, it really seems like just yesterday that we went out on our first date. And yet, it seems like we've been together forever," Nancy Reagan said in a statement.

The statement and a photograph of the Reagans embracing, taken inside their home Feb. 6 on Reagan's 89th birthday, were released Thursday to coincide with the anniversary of their wedding. In the
photograph, the former president is kissing his wife. Wearing matching red sweaters, they both look well.

"I really can't remember life before Ronnie. Everything began with him and he's been my whole life," she said.

Reagan hasn't been seen in public for about a year, his privacy closely guarded by his family. It's been six years since Reagan
told the world in a poignant letter that he had the memory-sapping disease.

The Reagans were married March 4, 1952, at The Little Brown Church in the Valley, a small chapel near Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City area. Actor William Holden was best man, and his wife, Ardis Holden, was the maid of honor.