Monday, January 14, 2013

Sixty One Years Later

On January 15 at 8:26 AM, I will be 36 years old.  Only four more years to the big four-oh.  I have already told you about my early warning system and wrote about turning 35 but things have changed since those posts.

Let me paint a picture for you first, my Cub Scout Pack has "adopted" two Soldiers who are in Afghanistan.  By "adopting" them, the Cub Scouts will write letters, send cards, pictures and care packages to give them a taste of home. 

I met with one of the Soldier's grandparents last week to get to know them and find out more about her.  I pulled up to the small lake house and was greeted by a sweet elderly lady with white hair who reminded me of my own grandmother.  She was wearing a sweater over her blouse and a flowered skirt that went to her ankles.  She welcomed me and showed me to the living room.  Taking in my surroundings, this house was maybe 800 square feet and decorated in your typical elderly person fashion.  Candy dishes filled with candy, pictures hanging perfectly on the walls and an afghan on the back of the couch which you could tell was knitted by her.

In walked the Soldier's grandfather and sat down on the loveseat next to her.  There was a plate of cookies on the coffee table because she knew I was coming over.  We talked about their granddaughter and how happy they were that the Cub Scouts were doing this program.  We talked about my life and how much I reminded them of their son.  While we were talking, I noticed that they were holding hands.

I turned the conversation around and asked how long they had been married.  In unison they said "61 years next month."  61 years!  Holy crap on a cracker!  They have been married 61 years and still holding hands!  That is freaking awesome.  After doing some quick math in my head I figured out they must both be in their eighties but that was impossible, they were both too alert and active to be in their eighties, so I asked.  She was 82 and he was 84.  Amazing!

We wrapped up the conversation and exchanged phone numbers because they don't use that "silly internet" and she ushered me out the door because it was supper time and I should be home with my own family.  I walked through the snow to my truck and got in.  I sat there for a moment looking at the small house nestled on a lake.  I mad the trek home and told The Trophy the story and told her that I couldn't wait to spend the next 48 years with her.

When 80 years old I reach, be like them I want.

20 comments:

  1. awesome. I wish that for you too.

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  2. This will be my parents too. It's wonderful to see couples who are so devoted to each other.

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  3. Happy birthday to us! As I type this, I was just 12 minutes old 42 years ago.

    I adore old couple stories like this. Amazing!

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  4. Happy birthday! Old couples like this are what still gives me hope that I'll meet someone and have a relationhip where we still hold hands when we are 80. It's not common, but it's possible! It really happens.

    And that was really sweet what you said to your wife...I'm sure she swooned :)

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  5. they're special and wonderful. it's a beautiful thing to see. happy birthday! you sound like a good husband. :)

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  6. I want this too. I want to be with Hubbs till we both look like Basset Hounds...

    Happy Birthday, btw. I wish you beer and naps!

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  7. What a great story. Happy birthday to you!

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  8. That is so sweet. My husband told me when we got married that I was stuck with him for 99 years. The first 12 years have gone well so far!

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  9. Happy birthday you!

    This was so sweet.
    I love it when I see old couples being lovey-dovey. It kinda gives me hope.

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  10. Happy Birthday! Since I got married at 30 and my husband at 35, 61 years would be quite the feat. Never say never though. They sound so cute!

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  11. Aww, how sweet! I bet the Trophy liked hearing that!

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  12. Very nice story. . . I'll be 40 this year, and celebrate 10 years of marriage. . . now, 40 doesn't seem so bad, and 10 years doesn't seem so impressive. . . :)

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  13. So sweet. I think people have forgotten that we're supposed to be in this marriage thing for the long haul. I hope to stay married forever too, even on the days we drive each other mental...ok, mostly on the day after those days.

    Happy birthday!

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  14. A noble goal and a sweet story. I regret that I didn't meet my husband until I was 38 and therefore won't live long enough to be married to him for a crazy number of years, but I love every minute we have together. . . seven years and counting!

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  15. And I'm sure that lovely couple thought you were a mere babe. It's all about perspective.

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  16. Such a sweet story! 61 years. Man, that's a long time...

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  17. That's so sweet! I love seeing old people hold hands. Can't imagine being married that long.

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  18. That's wonderful. Nobody in my family managed to stick it out past their kids' early teens, but I hope like hell that I'll get to dance at my own 50th wedding anniversary.

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  19. That's such a lovely thought. I wish that for you and your wife as well!

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  20. Happy birthday and what a sweet story! So inspiring.

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