half of a lifetime
April 21, 2008
My parents have been married for 34 years today. 34 years. I talked to them both about it yesterday for awhile and am still just amazed. That is SO LONG. I told Momma that that was like half of her life and she quickly informed me, “Honey, that it was more than half of my life.” I did the math and, as per usual, she was right.
Now, I have a two date rule. There hasn’t been a man that’s lasted more than two dates with me in a long, long time. I’m picky. I’m panicky. I’m impossible. I always find something that bugs me. That isn’t short enough or tall enough or smart enough or wrong enough or fun enough or good enough at grammar or… well, you get the picture. So, I’m working on it. I really (sort of) am.
Momma’s helped me an awful lot to be less demanding and more open to the possibility of someone that might warrant at least a third date. I usually try and take her word to heart. She is, after all, an expert on the topic. I mean, she’s been married to THE. SAME. MAN. (that snores and leaves his towel on the sink) for 34 YEARS. I asked her once if he didn’t get on her nerves and she said, “Sure he does, but I’d rather it be him getting on my nerves than any one else in the world.”
I thought about that for awhile. I still think about it. And I think about the way that he kisses her in the kitchen (gross, but sweeter as I get older) and picks her up for lunch in the Wonder Bread van. And the way that she washes his underwear and socks (except for the one time when he politely informed her that “he’d been going without drawers for 2 days and could she please wash some”). And the way that he moves the trailer for the one thousandth time while she’s working in her flower beds (until he bought her a Gator because he was tired of moving the trailer). And how he says things about “what a good looking woman” she is when she walks by (except for when that makes me want to vomit). And how she cans his tomatoes and peppers in the summertime. And the way that they go for Sunday rides in the old pickup truck. And the way that I can hear her laughing at him in the yard or with him while they sit in the living room.
And I think that maybe some day (like someday. not today. or any other day close to today, but someday.) I might just be interested in a man to get on my nerves for the next 34 years.
Happy Anniversary, Momma and Daddy.
“Sexiness wears thin after a while, and beauty fades. But to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that’s a real treat.”
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April 21st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Oh Emily, I about fell out of my chair at the thought of Randy telling Kay he’d been going without ‘drawers’ for a few days. That is hilarious! Another good read, thanks for allowing me to enjoy it! Have a great day!!!!!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Ohhhhh I just didn’t want to think about Uncle Randy without “drawers” haha! How sweet! I hope one day my kids will look at me and Jason like you do your parents. That quote at the end is soooo true!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Very sweet, Emily!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Oh Em, how amazing your parents have been married for that long and are loving each other just as much or probably more than the day they met. Deffinately a perfect example of Gods heart for his children! And one that i long for Tony and I 🙂
Again thankyou for sharing your heart and i’m with everyone else you should write a book!!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Awww. There goes myyyyyyy baaaby!
OK so that doesn’t really apply but I love to throw that in there everytime you mention your daddy and that wonder bread truck.
What sweet parents you have.
I think my only rule with picking a man is that he better make you laugh. Hard. I just know it’s worked well for me.
Now go find a funnyman.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I loved reading this. I can just see and hear all that happening even though I rarely have a chance to be around Aunt Kay and Uncle Randy together. I laughed so hard about the underwear. I can’t believe they have been married 34 years. I can’t believe Aunt Kay has put up with Uncle Randy’s foolishness all these years, of course, that my be one reason she loves him so much.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
This is such a great post! I love seeing (or reading about) people that still love each other so much after so many years. And I love your mom’s line about not wanting to be annoyed by anyone else. It gives me some food for thought.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
So sweet and so inspiring. I guess I will let Jimmy get on my nerves for 34 years. Ha! 6 down, 28 years to go 🙂
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 am
you are a great writer and a great woman!
April 25th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Make me vom. Stop telling people that Mom and Dad kiss sometimes. Eww. I don’t like to talk about it. Did catch a few giggles though. You got them jokes. And I got dat luh.