He called me 45 years ago today. I met him at a wedding in December and my Mom said, “he’ll call you”…but like in Flashdance…he didn’t call. Until my birthday. We made a date for Saturday, the 7th. He took me to Chez Paul in Chicago and I, being the country girl, was duly impressed! We walked the streets in the Loop, had our picture taken, and I was in awe. The next Saturday, Valentines’ Day, we went to dinner and dancing. He brought roses (18) and Fanny May candy, then bought me a corsage. I was in awe. We went out on the 21st, mind you he had to drive 50 miles each way to see me. He said, “can I see you Wednesday?”…so we went out again and when he brought me home and we were standing in the kitchen, I said, “Well aren’t you ever going to kiss me?”…he did and then my toes got hot, so I knew. We were engaged by March 28 and married on August 15th, 1959. Forty-five years later we are still in love, still best friends and having a great time in our new life.
When people ask how we lasted this long and this happily…I might say “well you know marriage is a lot of give and take.” That’s true. But mostly I think it’s about “us”. When something is just about “me” ….then things can go astray. When times get tough, it’s about “us” and if we focus on that, then we’re OK.
And how come he waited so long to call me? He had to buy a car!…and he had to get rid of his girlfriend!
I gotta remember to tell other – when times get tough it’s about us not me. What a great way to explain how a marriage works. We will be celebrating 40 years in November.
I gotta remember to tell others – when times get tough it’s about us not me. What a great way to explain how a marriage works. We will be celebrating 40 years in November.