How a 1966 wedding vinyl ended up at a Texas thrift store — and found its way back home

AUSTIN, Texas ( KXAN ) — A 1966 wedding record celebrating one couple's big day is finally making its way back home after accidentally being donated to an Austin, Texas, thrift store.

More than 58 years ago, Dr. Phil Schmidt and Donna Packer wed in Los Altos Hills, California, on Aug. 21, 1966. Then college students, the Schmidts moved to Austin, where Phil taught at the University of Texas at Austin for more than 40 years.

In March 2022, the Schmidts moved from their Austin home off Treadwell Boulevard, after living in the Allandale neighborhood for more than 46 years, Donna told Nexstar's KXAN. They relocated to a retirement community in Denver to be closer to their daughter and her family.

"We had an estate sale that cleared out everything from our home that wouldn't fit in our new apartment," Donna wrote in her email. "We had a large record collection and somehow our wedding vinyl made its way into a jazz cover. Makes me wonder what other treasure we left behind?!"

In a thrift haul a few months ago, Austinite Katie Ornelas discovered the wedding record, misplaced in the sleeve of "The Modern Jazz Quartet at Music Inn," a live album recorded in 1956.

Instead of smooth jazz melodies, Ornelas and her family listened to the vows, prayers and cheers celebrating "Phil's and Donna's Wedding."

"We put it on, and we were just instantly, just connected with that record and wanted to make sure it found its way back to its family because it was in a different sleeve [than the vinyl cover]," Ornelas told KXAN last week. "So we anticipated that it's probably missing its owners."

The story found its way to the best friend of the Schmidts' daughter, who read the online. After putting two and two together, the Schmidts confirmed they were the mystery couple.

"We celebrated our 58th Anniversary last August," Donna said. "What a gift for us to have this recording back in time for our 59th next year!"