Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Seventy Years

Jamey and I have been married for 14 years and in that time we've gone from baby-faced recent college graduates to mid-thirty-something grown-ups with three kids and our fair share of grey hairs.  In the nicest way possible, it seems like we've been married for a very long time.  My pre-marriage memories are foggy.  Like, really foggy.  I know there was a time when I slept alone in bed every night, when I signed my name without a hyphen and told my parents where I was going when I headed out the driveway.

But all that seems so very long ago.

Our early days of marriage seem so distant, too.  We were the same people then as we are now, but were we?  Really?  It's amazing how we've changed- our interests, our dreams and goals, the way we like to spend time together, the way we spend money, the things we talk about, and, of course, even the things we argue about.

Sometimes it feels as if we've lived a lifetime already- me flexing from part to full-time and then back to part-time due to the stressors and anxiety of doing social work in a psych hospital (getting bit, having furniture thrown at me, and mourning the loss of a former client who took her own life), the threat of infertility followed by the loss of two babies to ectopic pregnancies, becoming parents and figuring out what that meant for our alone-time (less of it) and our couple-time (pretty non-existent), surgeries, becoming a family of four and then five in the midst of four years without a job while Jamey went back to school full time, moving from a townhouse where we weren't allowed to hang laundry outside to a little farmette with chickens, a garden and no garage (who have we become?!).  All those experiences, shared together, have morphed us into different people and into a different couple.

Thankfully, and by the grace of God, we still get along with our morphed selves.

Now imagine.  Imagine all that morphing FIVE times over.  If you can imagine that, that maybe, just maybe you can imagine what it's been like to be married for 70 years.  I can't imagine it.  I can't even imagine what Jamey and I will be like after morph number two.  I'm afraid my head might explode if I try to. But it can be done and it has been done.  I'm so honored to be related to a couple who has blazed such a trail for the rest
of our family.
Happy Anniversary, Grandpa and Grandma.

I am envious, inspired and in awe. You are an amazing breed of pioneers.  Thank you for showing us how it's done. Pin It

11 comments:

  1. This is a very funny and sweet post. What a nice way to honor your grandparents.

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  2. A very well written, lovely post, Jane. Blessings to your grandparents on their anniversary.

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  3. What a wonderful tribute! I'm sure they are very proud of you and your family! Dave is very fond of his aunt & uncle.
    We just celebrated our 48th last week...70 seems a LONG time in the distance!

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  4. So beautiful...my grandparents were married 69 years when Noni passed away. It's such an accomplishment...true dedication.

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  5. A very handsome couple ,your grandmother and grandfather.I WOULD LOVE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN AND ASK A THOUSAND QUESTIONS. LIKE DO SOME FAMILIES HAVE MORE MENTAL ILLNESS THAN OTHERS?OR WHY DO PEOPLE COMMIT SUICIDE?HOW LONG WERE YOU IN SCHOOL? SEE ,I COULD GO ON AND ON,BUT I WON'T STEAL ANYMORE PICKLED BEETS

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  6. Beautiful! My husband's grandparents have been married 67 years I think. Amazing! They are so cute...

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  7. Congratulations on 14 years of marriage. My folks just celebrated 60 years last year and there doesn't seem to be a slowness happening yet...my dad's folks celebrated almost 64 years of marriage. It's my dream and prayer to accomplish AT LEAST that when I grow up. (We'll be celebrating 38 years next month.)

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  8. Well goodness...I think my post disappeared.
    Happy, happy anniversary and hope your Grands celebrate more years of happily wedded bliss. It's hard work, yet rewarding, and they are a blessing, even to those who don't know them. They've stayed the course...wonderful!
    My Mom and Daddy celebrated their 60th in October...another wonderful, Christian couple who lead by example.

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  9. I love this post. Love it. Congrats to you, and to your grandparents. This just really warms my heart.

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  10. A goal to strive for! My husband and I just celebrated 17 years. We have 5 children ages 13, the twins, 12and 10, girls, and a son who turned 2 in Dec.

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Just a friendly reminder, if you know me personally please try to refrain from using my name. There are those who may try to locate me, break into my pantry and steal my pickled beets. Thanks:-).

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