On display at Silver Dollar City in the woodcarving shop.
Recently, I stopped at a fast food restaurant for an iced tea and a salad.
Seated two tables across from me was an elderly couple in their early eighties (I’m guessing).
The gentleman sported a somewhat wrinkled blue work shirt with faded blue jeans and sensible looking shoes. His wife wore a beige polyester dress, complete with a strand of dime store beads.
Pausing briefly to remove his cap, the two then linked hands and bowed their snowy white heads to pray, something our own family often does when we dine out.
As the gentleman finished asking the blessing on their meal, I caught the tender moment that passed between husband and wife, the mutual reflection of love apparent in both pairs of eyes.
“Now, Mama…” the older fellow whispered, “Don’t worry if you can’t eat all that. We can always carry the leftovers home and have ’em for supper later.”
His wife seemed to ponder that for a moment before she answered.
“Well, I’m rather hungry today. I don’t think we’ll have any leftovers this time. Why, I may even get an ice cream cone when I’m done here.”
“My goodness, Mama,” her husband replied, smiling. “You’re gonna add another curve or two to that girlish figure of yours. And you know I already have trouble keeping my eyes off of you.”
“Oh, bother!”
The little elderly woman fanned herself with a napkin, pretending to be properly shocked. (I think I actually saw her blush, too…)
As I ate my salad and lingered over my tea, I tried not to intentionally eavesdrop, but with older people who speak a little louder anyway, that’s easier said than done sometimes.
It was such a sweet display as I watched their lunch unfold. Every now and then, the gentleman would reach for his wife’s free hand and she would give his an affectionate squeeze in return.
Their movements seemed synchronized, each knowing what the other needed well before their thoughts were verbalized into sentences.
She wanted another napkin–he presented her with an extra before she could actually ask.
He seemed to need another salt packet. She handed him two.
I found myself wondering how long the couple had been married and if they’d had a happy life together. I’m guessing they had, judging by the nonverbal cues I saw.
I finished my meal before they did, of course, but I was reluctant to leave. Being a total romantic, I wanted to see how their “story” ended. I wanted to find out if they would have the “happily ever after.” After already spending decades together, I’m guessing they probably did.
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What do you think are the key ingredients in marriages of longevity? Do you try to merge these elements into your WIP?
Comments 12
What a beautiful post, Cindy. My husband and I used to hold hands in public a lot.
Author
How lovely, Shirley! We do the same. As I watched the elderly couple that day, I could sense how in tune to each other they were by their eye contact, their body language, and of course, by their joined hands.
Thanks so much for visiting!
Nice post.
I believe trust is a main factor. I trust my hubby with my life…and he knows I always have his back. I do try to work it into my writing. I guess you can love someone…but not really trust them. If you have both, then you have it all – like that older couple that you were blessed to witness.
Author
Trust is definitely a key ingredient, Loree. And with Christ at the center of a marriage I believe you can indeed have it all.
What a lovely post, Cynthia. It warms my heart to see couples who have weathered life’s storms and are still very much in love.
I hope readers of my stories come to The End and firmly believe my hero and heroine will indeed have a Happily Ever After, but I want them to think this man and woman have what it takes to endure hardship as well. If I’ve done my work as a writer and put my main characters through the wringer, I think readers will feel certain they are a team and will be able to withstand anything that comes their way, with the help of the Lord, of course.
Author
Hear, hear! You spoke it so well, Keli!
What a beautiful post, Cynthia. I actually have a scene in my WIP similar to this, where my heroine sees an older couple at a restaurant, holding hands, and feels that pang of longing for what could be, between husband and wife.
And I, too, love people watching. We’re writers; it’s what we do! I really enjoy the Atlanta airport just for the people watching! 🙂
When I send wedding cards I’ve come up with this saying: “In your marriage, may you alway laugh, always love, and always forgive.” I think having a respectful and fun friendship, it keeps marriage full and overflowing. Trevor is my best friend; no one else can fill that position. And when couples laugh together, they can’t frown or fight or be upset with each other.
Hope you have a blessed weekend!
Author
Laughter! Yes! That’s key, too. And what a beautiful reminder to place on your cards for the newlyweds, Kerry.
I pray your weekend is blessed, as well.
I agree with the above thoughts, and would like to add The Golden Rule: Treat and speak to others the way YOU would like to be treated.
Author
Great one, Patti! We should do this in all of our relationships.
I think two strengths in our marriage (coming up on 26 years) is respect and partnership. I rarely say a negative word about my wife, especially to someone else, and hardly ever to her face. Doesn’t mean I’m not honest with her, I just try to always put it as positively as possible. In our 26 years, we have had maybe one or two serious “fights.” I think they were all my fault. 🙂 But we respect each other, and our marriage is a partnership. And God is the center. Well, we try to make that true as much as possible.
Author
Great call, Jeff! It always saddens me when I hear spouses speak ill of the other in public, even in a joking manner. Words and how they are spoken carry tremendous impact–both positively and negatively.
“And God is at the center.” We should all try to honor Him in that way.