Flying into San Diego
This week we are in San Diego to celebrate Tom’s Dad’s 80th birthday. It has been years since we have been together with Tom’s extended family. His sister is here with us from Orlando, and Tom’s aunt and uncle are here from Fremont, CA. Dinner last night was the perfect time to ask a good question of the oldest among us, so I did.
“I have a question for you…what is your earliest memory?”
It didn’t take long for the stories to begin. We heard about childhood antics and fun times between the two brothers. We heard of Aunt Ginny having a crush on Uncle Robert since she was around ten years old. It was intriguing to hear their stories, their history together, but even more so to sit back and absorb the rich legacy we’ve been given.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Ginny
Uncle Bob and Aunt Ginny celebrated 59 years of marriage in April. We took the opportunity to ask them what they would say to newlyweds, what would be the reason given for their successful marriage? Here’s what they had to say:
Aunt Ginny: “Well, he traveled a lot!”
Uncle Bob: “So you’re saying our success was because I wasn’t around?”
They both laughed. It’s obvious humor has played a large part in their successful marriage.
Uncle Bob: “Seriously, me going away in the war cemented our love. We were in the same church, the same youth group, and when I was drafted I asked her if she would write me.”
Aunt Ginny: “Whew, yes it was the letters. He could sure write great letters.” She fans herself as she thinks about them.
When asked about the longevity of their relationship they both agreed, “The biggest contributor to our success was the fact that we were great friends before. Our shared lives as friends laid the strong foundation for our love.”
With two boys, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, God has richly blessed their life and love. We are grateful to have had to opportunity to hear their story.
Who are the elders in your life waiting to be asked a good question?
This is Post #15 in the Ultimate Blog Challenge to post everyday in July.
The Romantic Vineyard 
Thanks for sharing the experience/advice from your Aunt Ginny & Uncle Bob. I love hearing the stories from couples married many years.
Great suggestion – to identify ‘elders’ who can share. Within our circle of friends there are four couples, all retired ministers and wives married 40+ years. (They’re not really retired, just not actively leading congregations – ministers and wives never really retire!) I think my husband and I should spend some time with them, deliberately digging into their wisdom!
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Lori, Yes you should spend time “digging for their wisdom!” We miss so much when we don’t ask. I wish I had done it more often! Be sure to pass it on to us as you find it, okay?
Blessings,
Debi
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Love Uncle Bob and Aunt Ginny’s relationship. I think I’d like to have coffee with her sometime. That second picture is precious.
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Bonnie, you would love Aunt Ginny! 🙂
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Debi, Thats so lovely. We can learn so much from our elders. It was Marks letters I fell in love with first. Once I’d met him I thought his brother must have been writing the letters for him, becaues his letters were wonderful, yet he was so shy around me in person. These are the memories I hope to tell my grand children x
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Gina,
I, too, fell in love with Tom through his letters. There is something special that happens whenever couples get to know one another through the written word. This might just be another post – thanks for the inspiration! With the Ultimate Blog Challenge, I’ll take the much needed help! Lol!
Debi
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Debi:
Thanks so much for this post, although I never thought of them as ‘elders’ — to me they were always just Mom & Dad ;). We don’t always realize growing up what a great model our parents’ marriage is until we’ve established marriages of our own and start to realize what it takes.
The concept of marrying your best friend seems so simple, but is (in my opinion) a key element of the kind of commitment that contributes to a lasting marriage.
Thanks again for ‘asking the question’…
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You’re so welcome! We had the best time visiting with your parents. And it’s good to hear from you – thanks for commenting!
Debi
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