On this day, 65 years ago, a dimple-cheeked girl with stars in her eyes rushed through her swing shift at the telephone office then raced out to the farm where a handsome boy who had stolen her heart waited to make her his bride.
She didn’t have a fancy, elaborate gown. They both wore gray suits.
Their flowers were gladiolas, pink and white.
And they said “I do” in the minutes before the clock struck midnight due to her working late.
Not the stuff of fairy tales, right?
But today, my parents – that couple who married in a simple ceremony at my grandparents’ farm – celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.
Sixty-five years.
It kind of boggles the mind, doesn’t it?
And of course, I realized I don’t have a copy of the one and only photo they have from their wedding. You can make sure I’ll be getting one when I see them in a few weeks for my niece’s wedding.
When we had Amanda’s bridal shower a few weeks ago at Mom and Dad’s house, I asked them both to write down their words of wisdom for a happy marriage to share with the bride-to-be.
Mom’s were to never go to bed angry, and to listen to your husband, even when you think he’s wrong.
Dad wrote a hilarious comment that he made me promise Mom would never see, so for his self-preservation, I’ll not pass it on today. (Other than to say he suggested it is good for a husband to listen to a wife, even when she may not be entirely correct.)
My take-away from their advice-sharing was to listen to your partner, to listen from your heart even when you’d rather prove your point or be “right.”
My other take-away was that Dad’s sense of humor and Mom’s willingness to put up with it created a strong foundation for their marriage.
Growing up, I watched some of my classmates go through the trials and tribulations of having their parents divorce. By then, my folks were middle-aged and settled into life, into each other. I never once had to worry about them separating. They were, and are today, a united front.
I don’t think either of them ever once considered leaving each other an option. They were just eighteen and nineteen when they wed, but they made a commitment for a lifetime.
And I’m so glad they did.
If you want to know about true love and real romance, ask a couple who’s been married for more than six decades. I bet they’ll give you some good tips and probably a generous helping of humor.
So, Mom and Dad – Happy, Happy 65th Anniversary to you!
