Tuesday’s Tune: “Love and Marriage”

Monday was our anniversary. It was our twenty-fourth wedding anniversary. It seems like the other day I was waiting for my mom and step-mother on the sidewalk outside the church. They had gotten lost on the way from the hotel to the church. I can’t blame them, it’s easy to get lost on country roads. I still get lost when I go back to Ohio for a short visit and I get off the beaten track.

My brother David and I had been pacing outside the church, waiting. My other sister-in-law, B’s older sister had checked on us and asked what was up. It was the time before cell phones or at least inexpensive cell phones and few folks had one. I had no idea, I explained I thought they were lost. She seemed to accept it and went back inside the church. I can only imagine what was going through B’s head.

They arrived, more than several minutes late – my mom, step-mother, and sister-in-law climbed out of the car and hurried inside. My mom apologized and I smiled a nervous smile and muttered, “You’re off the Christmas card list,” under my breath.

I was kidding, of course. She gets a Christmas card every year and a call Christmas morning to wish her a Merry Christmas. She reminds me she got her Christmas card. And, we laugh.

She also reminds me that if they had arrived on time, the sunbeam, that had illuminated B and I at the precise moment we said our vows, would have missed us. Completely missed us, divine providence.

Much happens in 24 years – kids are born, parents and other family members pass away, there are job changes, career shifts, smiles, laughter, people change and grow, and all sorts of things that make a marriage strong. There are other highs and lows of life along the way.

I have much more grey hair than I did in 1991. Then, it was just coming in, and it’s longer, too. But, I still have my laugh and sense of humor and sarcastic wit, forged by experience and life’s hard lessons. I’ve learned to shovel snow, rake leaves, and be somewhat of a happy handyman that comes with being a homeowner.

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
This I tell you brother
You can’t have one without the other

Frank Sinatra is right, you can’t have one without the other.

Saturday morning I was at the flower market and got a dozen pink roses. They are beautiful, like B. They’ll last the week and then some, if we care them, like a marriage.

It was a busy weekend and time got away from writing, but that’s okay. I had time for the important stuff – family and love.

B and I went to dinner last night. We took the kids and enjoyed dinner together as a family. I had leftover pasta for lunch today. I smiled and laughed to myself. Mom was right, if she had been on time the sunbeam would have missed us, you can’t have one without the other.

It’s been a great week, so far. We are studying the American Revolution and my students will be taking a test Friday. I can’t wait to share the fun activity I developed to help them review in class Thursday. And, my Astros are in the playoffs and just won their first playoff game. Tomorrow is Wednesday and it’s gonna be a million and six times better than today, I know it and I can feel it. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, weaving one day after another into a week, then a month, and another year. Next year, it’s 25 and silver.

What’s your secret, I don’t have one. Please share.   

Love and Marriage
Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
This I tell you brother
You can’t have one without the other

Love and marriage, love and marriage
It’s an institute you can’t disparage
Ask the local gentry
And they will say it’s elementary

Try, try, try to separate them
It’s an illusion
Try, try, try, and you will only come
To this conclusion

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
Dad was told by mother
You can’t have one without the other
Performed by Frank Sinatra, written by James Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn

2013 Anniversary – 22nd
2012 Anniversary – 21st
2011 Anniversary – 20th
2010 Anniversary – 19th

4 thoughts on “Tuesday’s Tune: “Love and Marriage”

    1. Thank you Margaret – her parents were married for for 67 years, my grandparents made it to 53, As you know, being married is not easy, it takes work and so much more. Have a wonderful week, mine’s already off to a great start.

  1. Happy 24 years of marriage to you and B. August 1st was 28 years for my husband (also a B) and I. It seems like no time at all and, yet, so much has happened. May you and your lovely bride have many more happy years of making each day together count.

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