A Love that Lasts to Infinity and Beyond
Thanks, Buzz Lightyear! Yes, I am a product of my grandchildren’s (and, mine too) favorite animated “Toy Story” movies. Truth is I had that kind of love. From just kids at 12 and 13, ours was young love that matured to a love that would last forever. We were going to grow old together, but God changed all that when my sweetheart slipped to “infinity and beyond” just after our 44th anniversary. Now, when I see older couples still holding hands and still desperately in love with each other — it makes me so proud for them. I often think about “the way we were” and “the way we would have been”, but this day reminds me of what I had.
I get a little selfish on “our” day and I blog for my pleasure of remembering what was, still is – at least in my memory bank. Speaking of memories, these photos are of collages in my 60th birthday scrapbook and they give me pause for gratitude. Thank you for indulging me.
Today, July 8th, 55 years ago, I married my best friend and the love of my life. He was my “one and only”. I miss him today more than ever. There weren’t many things we would do without the other, but this time, God’s plans trumped ours. One of us got their “early departure ticket” for heaven. He earned it, and God was ready to give him His best! As I told a new widow recently, “Heaven keeps getting sweeter for us. Our sweethearts finished their assignments. Now we get to finish ours. We’re still here so we’re not done.” I maintain that outlook as I live each day on assignment.
We came upon the “in sickness and in health” wedding vows sooner than we could have imagined. Was it 44 years of wedded bliss? Heavens, NO! It was 44 years of beautiful AND tough times. Much of this young girl’s dream for “happy ever after” went by the wayside in the first week of marriage. LOL! My sweet husband worked two jobs, carried a full load of college hours and I worked at a $1.25/hour job to help make ends meet. Then after three months of marriage, my man – the daring, bold and audacious risk taker that he was, announced, “I think it’s time we should start our family!” Bada bing bada boom – nine months later our beautiful baby boy added to the mix of our young, naïve “happy ever after” world.
We were two kids, flying by the seat of our pants, learning each day what love and forgiveness were all about. When we disagreed and quarreled, it was more like siblings than husband and wife. Our two kids learned the word for those quarrels as “discussions”. But here’s what made this “match made in heaven” last. Those vows we said were those of Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of their husbands and Naomi’s urging her daughter-in-law to return to her family of origin. I still get “goosies” when I hear Ruth’s reply to her mother-in-law (and the vows my husband and I made at our wedding ceremony): “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” (Ruth 1:16-17)
We made God our CENTER. Bottom line — marriage is NOT for the faint of heart. Serious issues can come with the territory. That’s why we needed divine help. We made our vows before God, and continued to call on Him for strength to make it through those times. We found that God was ALWAYS there to help us through it. None of our issues fazed God in the slightest. He could handle it. So much so, that our journey became sweeter as the years went by.
My life continues to be filled with so many golden nuggets which include our union’s precious family. I continue to be grateful for the treasures that bless my life. Knowing how our story would end….I’d do it all again. And to show how thankful I am…..I’m going to continue strong on this incredible faith journey, make more memories with our family and friends and continue writing many chapters, posts and blogs that celebrate LIFE on this side of heaven…..until the day I get to join my Sweetheart in our Home Sweet Home in heaven! Happy 55th Anniversary and see ya’ later, my forever sweetheart!