Thursday, February 7, 2008

A Marriage Made In Heaven

They met in beauty school. She, an adorable, out-going, 17 year old girl fresh out of high school looking for a job while her boyfriend finished up his stint in the Army. When the woman she worked for suggested beauty school, she thought she would give it a try.

He was a 25 year old semi-professional football player just released from the Army. His girlfriend had convinced him that men make much more money than women do as hairdressers, so off he went to make some cash.

He walked in the door on the first day and stuck out like a sore thumb. There were a few other men in the beauty school, but none that looked like him. He was tall, well over six feet, with a muscular build, and thick, wavy, auburn hair. He was wearing a letter jacket and a Hollywood smile. All of the women in the room immediately melted and fell victim to his wit, his charm, and his flirtatious nature.

Except for her. She was not impressed. As the days went on the other girls in class continued to ooh and aah over him as she rolled her eyes. The girls crowded around to giggle and swoon when one of them said to her, “Oh Gloria, wouldn’t you just love to marry Johnny?”  To which she replied, “I feel sorry for the girl that marries him!”  She thought he was too arrogant and too flirtatious. Just not what she would want in a man.
Time went on and they began to warm to each other. He thought she was cute as a button, though much too young for him. His charm and easy-going nature began to win her over allowing her to realize all they had in common. They shared a passion for their religion, theater, singing, nature, and sports. They laughed constantly and had an obvious chemistry together. They began to enjoy each other’s company and became good friends. She realized she had misjudged him when he told her, “I may be flirtatious, but when I find the right girl, that’s it! She is the only one for me and I will treat her like a Queen.”

It was silly to ignore it anymore. She broke up with her boyfriend and he broke up with his girlfriend as they spent more and more time together. Soon they were inseparable, exploring their new city together, going on long walks, to the movies, and dancing. It all just seemed so natural.

On February 7th, 1959 they were married in her childhood church. Just one week shy of Valentine’s Day they pledged to love, honor and cherish one another until death parted them.

They spent their years taking long walks, going on motorcycle rides, going to church, starring in musicals together, raising 6 children, going camping, traveling, laughing, singing, dancing, working hard, and praying harder. They have been by each other’s side through the death of their first child, the deaths of their parents, cancer, and more recently, Alzheimer’s. And throughout their 49 years of marriage they remained best friends. They hold hands in church. Go on walks through the woods. She helps him get dressed in the morning. He carries the groceries for her.

Their marriage is an example of God’s great love for us and why marriage should be treated as the holy sacrament it is. I feel so blessed to have witnessed such an amazing, committed, faithful marriage. I’ve learned that there are fights, but you forgive. I’ve learned that no one is perfect, and acceptance is imperative. I’ve learned that you live for the good times and put your head down, your hands together, and pray through the hard times.

Thank you for a lifetime of immeasurable lessons.
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

This man and this woman
Vowed to be true.
In good times and bad
They would see each other through.
Hand in hand to the floor
They sealed their love with a dance,
And with God on their side
They gave love a chance.
Through the years they take turns
Leading the way,
And though life does get rough
They never do stray.
No matter the song,
No matter the pace,
They always make it through
Dancing with ease and with grace.
All the others admire
Their strength and devotion,
And learn by example
How to keep love in motion.
So it brings me great pleasure
To wish them today
Happy 49th Anniversary,
And God bless them I pray.






51 comments:

Kat said...

Please excuse the "corn factor" on the poem. I wrote that when I was younger and my mom always loved it, so I posted it for her. :)

Family Adventure said...

Kathryn, it is not corny...it's lovely. Just like the rest of your post. And the pictures are fabulous. We should all be so fortunate!

Happy Anniversary to your parents.

Heidi

Family Adventure said...

PS: STILL LOVING YOUR BLOG LOOK

krissy said...

Ohhh Kathryn.....

I actually started to cry! That was so beautiful! The poem just showed how wonderful their marriage was if you wrote that as a child! I loved this post :-)

And btw....I laughed my fool butt off at your comment on my blog! So, clowns scare you eh???? How do you get through the circus???

Your wonderful!!

suchsimplepleasures said...

that was beautiful!!!
they are the most movie star gorgeous couple! that's why you're so gorgeous!!
i loved this post...you made me cry!!
come over and have coffee and hang out, ok?! because i so heart you!!!!!
xoxoxo

suchsimplepleasures said...

ultrasound...go into ultrasound! that's what i'm going to do, when ross (my youngest) starts school full time...i'm going back to school for that!!
xoxo

suchsimplepleasures said...

completely freaky!!! except...i wouldn't want to go into nursing...i would dry heave to have to change bed pans...i'm over wiping anyones tushie!!
radiology...that's a good one, too. plus, they are paid pretty darn well!
i should have listened to my parents and finished college! then, i wouldn't have these decisions to make, as an almost old fart!!

Burgh Baby said...

Let me just admit, I looked at the photos before reading. I assumed I was about to read how YOU met YOUR HUSBAND. Holy smokes do you look like your Mom! Wow!

Congrats to the newlyweds!

imbeingheldhostage said...

Can't even begin to tell you what a blubbering emotional mess I am now. This was really beautiful.

Chrissy said...

What a beautiful story. Congratulations to your parents!

Anonymous said...

I'm all teary eyed. I love, love, love this post and I know your parents do too. How wonderful that you are able to tell them in this way. Congrat to your parents!

Beck said...

Aw! Look how beautiful your mom is! They look like such a happy couple.

Momisodes said...

Okay, I'm a little teary eyed....That was so incredibly sweet. What a beautiful story. If only we could all be so lucky....

They look like movie stars in those pics :) I see quite a resemblance between you and your mom!

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

AWESOME post! Your parents look so wonderful together. Great stories!
:-) Beth

Ashley said...

OMG your parents are way too cute! Love it! They are so adorable!

Btw, the asparagus is REALLY good. Definitely try it - although, you may want to get more than 1 lb. It shrinks up like crazy and you'll be wondering where it all went. I could've eaten a whole lb by myself easy if it weren't for sticky fingers ;)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful love story.

girlymom said...

Oh this is so romantic. Look at how happy they are! It must have been a wonderful household to grow up in with how much they love each other~ it shows. (Love the music)

Happy Anniversary!

Homegrown Tribe said...

That was so sweet... you always write the nicest things.

Happy Anniversary!

Brittany

maggie said...

That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing their love story!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story!

Blended in Texas said...

What a gorgeous couple! I loved the story- thanks so much for posting it! You are truly blessed to have been raised by such wonderful parents! 49 years- that's awesome!

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Beautiful tribute. Your parents are a lovely couple and sound like wonderful people!

Laura said...

How wonderful...how sweet...how perfect!

david mcmahon said...

Beautiful, Kathryn,

Wonderful story, wonderful pictures, wonderful memories. No corn factor.

My family has also been deeply touched by Alzheimer's. Will tell you all about it one day ....

Jenni said...

Kathryn, once again your writing has moved me to tears.

Thank you for sharing something so personal.

OHmommy said...

What an amazing story and well written. I had it all pictured in my head.

I love their wedding picture. What beautiful people. Adorable! Do you have it framed in your house? I would.

What a wonderdul tribute to what sounds like an amazing couple!

JEWELGIRL said...

I know Aly will love to see this.
She just came home now. And she
got a certificate for Student of
the week at school today!!!!
Way to go Aly!
I enjoyed the true love story,
this is the way it is supposed
to be, we can only hope love
and life lasts this long together!
Hugs + Hugs!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Kathryn, this was BEAUTIFUL. It actually gave me goosebumps when I read it was your parents. I was thinking it was you and your husband. What lovely parents!

Will they read this post? Awesome job!!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

And awesome shots I might add. How nostalgic!

Brittany said...

What a lovely tribute!! :)

Happy Anniversary to your parents!

dawn klinge said...

Happy Anniversary to your parents. They are an inspiration and your words were so beautifully expressed. What a cute couple they are!

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE THE MOST AMAZING WRITER!!!!! I love that your posts make me truly 'feel'. I really and truly, sincerely loved this. Thank you so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Ok, now it's working!

I love LUV looking at other peoples' photographs, these were awesome. The post was great, I really enjoyed reading it. If only we were all that lucky. At first glance of the first B&W pic, I totally thought it was you...and your Mom still looks awesome!

HomeGrownLife said...

I always enjoy looking at old photos. Very touching post!

orneryswife said...

What a beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing that! (I came from authorblog.) I hope in another 19 years my kids will write something similar about Ornery and me. I loved the poem at the end, and the photos. Splendid!
TM

Casdok said...

Beautiful! Happy anniversary!

Lisa said...

How sweet are they! And how lucky are you to have two parents so in love! Congrats to your mom & dad!!!

lime said...

here from david's. thank you so much for this example of lifelong love and devotion. congratulations to your parents and happy anniversary.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

What a BEAUTIFUL post!

Sandi McBride said...

So beautifully written, a love story for the ages. Lucky them. Lucky you...Happy Anniversary to them, and many more
as for Mac and me, 39 years and counting

Sandi

bindhiya said...

Hi Kathryn,
I found you at David's place.
You have a beautiful place here.
Beautiful story!
Happy Anniversary to your parents.
take care
bindhiya

Laski said...

Great--here we go again with the tears. I missed this post . . . your parents are adorable and that is a story that should be written down, bound, shared with the world, and made into a movie . . .

Craver Vii said...

1st-time visit. I popped over from Authorblog. A hearty congratulations for the 49 years. Quite noteworthy and respectable.

Merisi said...

Such a beautiful story!
I followed David's advice,
thank you both for sharing,
Merisi

Julie Pippert said...

How beautiful---sweet and romantic. :)

Am'n2Deep said...

That is fantastic and beautifully expressed! Every year I am married I fall deeper in love with my husband--it's the kind of love I always dreamed of. So it makes me so happy when I read tributes like these and think of our future together. (How's that for corn?)

Your parents are beautiful.

And btw, you have great taste in music, and the little "I SEE YOU!" above your site meter made me laugh!

Oh, and just so you know, David sent me. :)

Anonymous said...

You are so eloquent & moving....not at all corny. That was so beautiful.

Neva said...

What a beautiful post and tribute to your parents. Happy Anniversary to them....and what a great daughter you are for being able to articulate their story so well. Love the pictures!

My Unfinished Life said...

wonderful post!!!...in this age of divorces..it is nice to read about such everlasting togetherness!!....as i am journeying on this new road of marrige....some of the things you have written hold so much importance for me!!!..........

Nissa said...

That was a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing your parent's love story with us!

Hobbling In Heels said...

Oh myyy haooy anniversary to them... they are what we should all model our lives and loves after. How blessed you are to have them as parents...

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson