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.