MOONSTRUCK! That’s what I was, right from the get-go. Somehow I knew almost from the very beginning of our relationship that my wife and I were destined to share our lives together.
The year was 1954 and the occasion was a not-so-blind-date. I knew who she was---had seen her around high school, but didn’t really know her. I had been “fixed up,” as the saying goes, with a cute little blonde. The arrangement was such that after the basketball game, I was to escort her home---a walk of about one-half mile.
The date was December 10 (which we continue to celebrate yearly). It was a bitter cold evening and as we headed for her home, I suggested that we stop at Chase’s Restaurant for a snack. I even remember what we ordered---cheeseburgers, fries, and vanilla shakes. The total bill was under $5.00! Those were the days!
When we finished eating, I reached for my wallet to pay the bill and to my utter horror, came up empty-handed! To say that I was embarrassed would be an understatement. I had no choice other than to appeal to her generosity. “What a schmuck,” I thought. “You’re off to a great start. She’ll think you’re a moocher, for sure.” Actually, in the years to follow, this incident would develop into a pattern. More than once my wife has had to “bail me out” when I was caught short.
Was it love at first sight? Nah, not really. It was more like infatuation. She was attractive, bright, popular, and above all, very, very sweet. I liked being with her from the start. And, of course, she fed my ego by laughing at my stupid jokes and sympathizing with my moanings. I guess she understood that she had hooked up with a bit of a melancholy.
However, as the dates continued, infatuation developed into something far greater---a desire to be with her all the time and make her happy. If that is what love is, then that’s what happened. We didn’t “fall in love”; we intentionally dove into it.
Did I kiss her on the first date? I honestly don’t remember, but if I did, it was more like a peck on the cheek. As we stood there on her doorstep, I had one eye on the surroundings. I hadn’t yet met her parents and the lights were still on inside.
Chase’s Restaurant is gone now and I can’t remember when we last had a cheeseburger, fries, and shake, but the memories linger---memories of long walks, even longer talks, shared dreams (many of which came to pass), and an ever-blossoming love and respect for each other. As of this writing we are about to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. You see, after that first date, we never dated anyone else. Our life together has been absolutely wonderful---not without a few bumps here and there, but all in all, amazing. We are both convinced that it is mainly because our duet became a trio. God has been the stabilizing force in our marriage. His love has been flowing into us and out toward each other.
Little did we know what that first walk would lead to---down the aisle, pushing the baby carriages for two boys, moving into the ministry---in every case, hand-in-hand, heart in heart.
In order to keep the fire burning, we have discovered some important principles to live by. Here they are:
o Stay close to the Lord
o Talk about everything
o Keep on dating
o Compromise, compromise, compromise!
o Laugh a lot together
o Take time to listen to each other and respect each other’s opinions
o Keep dreaming about the future
Next month we head for British Columbia to celebrate a half-century together, thanks to the generosity of our children. It will be another memory-builder that will stay with us perpetually.
MOONSTRUCK! That’s what I am. And if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing (except for the wallet). That was a special night, filled with simple, yet profound moments---enough for a whole lifetime!
The year was 1954 and the occasion was a not-so-blind-date. I knew who she was---had seen her around high school, but didn’t really know her. I had been “fixed up,” as the saying goes, with a cute little blonde. The arrangement was such that after the basketball game, I was to escort her home---a walk of about one-half mile.
The date was December 10 (which we continue to celebrate yearly). It was a bitter cold evening and as we headed for her home, I suggested that we stop at Chase’s Restaurant for a snack. I even remember what we ordered---cheeseburgers, fries, and vanilla shakes. The total bill was under $5.00! Those were the days!
When we finished eating, I reached for my wallet to pay the bill and to my utter horror, came up empty-handed! To say that I was embarrassed would be an understatement. I had no choice other than to appeal to her generosity. “What a schmuck,” I thought. “You’re off to a great start. She’ll think you’re a moocher, for sure.” Actually, in the years to follow, this incident would develop into a pattern. More than once my wife has had to “bail me out” when I was caught short.
Was it love at first sight? Nah, not really. It was more like infatuation. She was attractive, bright, popular, and above all, very, very sweet. I liked being with her from the start. And, of course, she fed my ego by laughing at my stupid jokes and sympathizing with my moanings. I guess she understood that she had hooked up with a bit of a melancholy.
However, as the dates continued, infatuation developed into something far greater---a desire to be with her all the time and make her happy. If that is what love is, then that’s what happened. We didn’t “fall in love”; we intentionally dove into it.
Did I kiss her on the first date? I honestly don’t remember, but if I did, it was more like a peck on the cheek. As we stood there on her doorstep, I had one eye on the surroundings. I hadn’t yet met her parents and the lights were still on inside.
Chase’s Restaurant is gone now and I can’t remember when we last had a cheeseburger, fries, and shake, but the memories linger---memories of long walks, even longer talks, shared dreams (many of which came to pass), and an ever-blossoming love and respect for each other. As of this writing we are about to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. You see, after that first date, we never dated anyone else. Our life together has been absolutely wonderful---not without a few bumps here and there, but all in all, amazing. We are both convinced that it is mainly because our duet became a trio. God has been the stabilizing force in our marriage. His love has been flowing into us and out toward each other.
Little did we know what that first walk would lead to---down the aisle, pushing the baby carriages for two boys, moving into the ministry---in every case, hand-in-hand, heart in heart.
In order to keep the fire burning, we have discovered some important principles to live by. Here they are:
o Stay close to the Lord
o Talk about everything
o Keep on dating
o Compromise, compromise, compromise!
o Laugh a lot together
o Take time to listen to each other and respect each other’s opinions
o Keep dreaming about the future
Next month we head for British Columbia to celebrate a half-century together, thanks to the generosity of our children. It will be another memory-builder that will stay with us perpetually.
MOONSTRUCK! That’s what I am. And if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing (except for the wallet). That was a special night, filled with simple, yet profound moments---enough for a whole lifetime!
posted by kazookid | 2:37 PM
3 Comments:
Yea! Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on 50 years of a beautiful relationship. I remember those "mooning" eyes from 1954 -- even have a picture somewhere :)
May you have many more wonderful years together. Enjoy Victoria -- we've been twice and love it.
Love you both,
Joanne
Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary! I really enjoyed reading how you both met...what a great love story. You have both been a huge blessing to my family. Enjoy your trip away!
We wish you a very Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary! You have both been such an inspiration to us and we admire your commitment to one another. You have blessed our family in many, many ways! God Bless you and enjoy your trip with your family!
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