I hail from a family of long-marrieds. This fact has nothing to do with my chosen profession. But, it does have a lot to do with how I see my clients. Why I cry at all my weddings. Why I wish them all so many blessings as they embark on their new lives.
Pictured here is my paternal grandmother, we call her Nana. Nana celebrated her 90th birthday yesterday and it was such an honor to see her and be with her on this day. It was wonderful to see her with her only two remaining siblings of 12 children, both women. They are both over 80 years-old. Their mother lived until she was 98. How happy am I that women live long in my family?! Yippie!
Back to the reason for this post. My paternal grandmother and grandfather were married in 1939 and were married 41 years until my PawPaw passed away in 1980. There was a 19 year age gap between them. That's a whole other post!
To the union of my grandparents were born six children, five boys and a girl. All six children majored in education and became teachers. They also all married teachers. Again, a whole other post. My dad's oldest brother and his wife were married in July 1965. Within the next year, three other of the boys (including my father) were married. Over 40 years later, they are all still married to the same women. The youngest of the six (my aunt) eloped while in college. She and her husband (a former Pittsburgh Steeler) have been married 38 years. I have one uncle (the youngest boy) who has been divorced and remarried. He has been married to his second wife about 25 years, still a milestone in today's world of marrieds.
I write this not only to chronicle my family's marriages, but also to say that I am really proud to be a part of such a heritage. Without saying a word, my family has taught me to hang in there when times get rough. The rough patches can smooth themselves out with a little work.
The down side to all this is that it causes my family to be baffled as to how and why I am 36 and have never been married, engaged or even proposed to. I think they think if I'd become a teacher I'd be married by now. It worked for my cousin (who is 1 month and 1 day older than me). She celebrated her 12th wedding anniversary yesterday as well.
The Lewis' share a very long, strong and rich heritage of which I am immensely proud. I hope for all brides and grooms a heritage as long and as rich.
3 comments:
I talk to my clients a lot about models of love - people who have strong, healthy, happy, thriving marriages. I ask my couples to look to those people for guidance, for inspiration and to model their marriage after those people. Sounds like you have those models in great quantity! Congrats to them all!
Beautiful post...thanks for sharing! Love your blog, BTW! :)
Happy Birthday to your Nana! Great, heartfelt post.
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