Grandpère and I celebrate 46 years together today. We have three great children and six beautiful grandchildren. We are together today because I have learned to "keep sweet" and obey my husband. (Uproarious laughter in background)
Seriously, folks have asked us how on earth two such different people could ever get together - and stay together. Sometimes we look at each other and ask ourselves the same question. We were friends before we came to agree that we wanted to be together for the long haul. Neither of us was swept off our feet by the other. No love at first sight. It was like at first sight that grew into love.
We enjoy some of the same activities, while we go our separate ways for others. This seems to work well for us. We both enjoy a good laugh, although we don't always laugh at the same things, and we share an appreciation for irony. The saving grace, in my humble opinion, is that neither of us will permit the other to take him/herself too seriously.
This doesn't sound very romantic, does it? Trust me; we have our moments.
(Grandpère)
"I know..."
But do you love me?
(Mimi)
Do I love him?
For forty-six years I've lived with him
Fought him, starved with him
Forty-six years my bed is his
If that's not love, what is?
(Grandpère)
Then you love me?
(Mimi)
I suppose I do.
(Grandpère)
And I suppose I love you too
(Both)
It doesn't change a thing
But even so
After forty-six years
It's nice to know.
With apologies to the writers and composers of "Fiddler on the Roof".
UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I received a dozen of these from Grandpère.
UPDATE 2: Tim Chesterton at Tale Spin has shared with Grandpère and me a beautiful love song which he wrote. It's a lovely anniversary gift. Thank you, Tim.
Top image from Wonder ClipArts.
Bottom image from WebShots.
Bon anniversaire, Grandmère.
ReplyDeleteLoverly! Happy Anniversary! Wishing you two joy today and always.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the both of you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcardm.asp?cont=1&hdn=3&mpv=3111928
If I had an email address I would personalize this. Enjoy it anyway, and take the thought as intended. Roger
What a wonderful life! Praying it continues for many more years.
ReplyDeleteBonne fête! It couldn't happen to a nicer person :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a feat! Congratulations to you both - and may you be blessed with many more joy-filled years.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! 46 years is quite an accomplishment. May God continue to bless you both.
ReplyDeleteMimi--I'm a big "Fiddler" fan, so your song made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteMay you have many more happy years together. And may he cherish you for the dear, loving blessing that you are to the world.
Did someone say "happy feet"?
ReplyDeleteBon anniversaire, Grandmère et Grandpere.
Mimi, I wish I could reach through the fiber-optic cables and give you both a big hug. Well done! The Missus and I are approaching 28, but 46 is absolutely awesome!
ReplyDeleteNo love at first sight. It was like at first sight that grew into love. I love that line so much I'd like to use it in a song some day. May I have your permission?
Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDelete"The saving grace, in my humble opinion, is that neither of us will permit the other to take him/herself too seriously.
This doesn't sound very romantic, does it?"
Sounds heavenly.
Best wishes to you both
Blessed Anniversary. Many are called and so many also don't make it to 46 years. I'll lift a glass of something nice (and red) tonight in your honour.
ReplyDeleteOh my. What beautiful people you all are. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLapin, I sent you an email some time ago, but I sent another one today.
Tim, use my line in a song. I'd be honored.
Wonderful. And to me, it sounds very romantic indeed. Many happy returns of the day
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! How romantic.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your anniversary!
46 years! Did Grandpere marry you in gradeschool? Blessings to you, your children, and your children's children. A dogbone for each of you.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteand HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
You've written a lovely tribute to your marriage and the power of true love.
I hope you have 46 more years of not being taken too seriously and of love!
Lindy
Thank you all. The old dog has it right. We were mere children when we married. ;o)
ReplyDeleteClumber, a dogbone?
Mimi-
ReplyDeleteI hope that you were not hit too terribly hard by Humberto this morning. Thinking of you today.
Pastor David, I am in southeastern Louisiana. We're getting some rain. That is all. Thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
ReplyDelete46 years is an accomplishment!
Congratulations! It sounds like the "pretend your deaf" advice I gave Grandpère is working out then.
ReplyDeleteActually, that was my grandfather's little trick ("Let me adjust the volume just a bit." Sqeeeeeeeaaaaaal!).
KJ, pardon me, but didn't you read the part about my practice of keeping sweet and obeying my husband? I never talk back. I bow my head submissively and do just as he tells me.
ReplyDeleteMimi - Congratulations from a lurker of three months! (First discovered you from Acts of Hope which was recommended to me by a friend.) I love that scene from Fiddler! May your marriage get even better.
ReplyDeleteMimi - I left a little something for you and your sweetheart over at my blog.
ReplyDeleteFleurMagnifique, what a lovely name. Welcome, and thanks for good wishes. I love reading Jane's blog.
ReplyDeleteTim, I did an update with a link to your blog so everyone can see.
Thanks. I like both Jane's and your blog. Hadn't really read any blogs until June. Rather interesting phenomenon.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! sorry to be late. I woke up from my cold stupor, and I'm celebrating with you!!!
ReplyDeleteOh how like me to show up at the last minute after the party is over!
ReplyDeleteGrandmere and Grandpere- please know you are sent waves of good wishes. What a delightful story.
Oh.. and the song. I loved that!
Joy always, joy and more joy.
My congratulations to you both.
ReplyDeleteMy beloved and I will celebrate 21 years married next week, so my mind is similarly turned to reflecting on these things. We particularly share your understanding of not having a Damascene moment of conversion. She still reminds me frequently, that I was bullied into asking her out and have never actually proposed!
No love at first sight. It was like at first sight that grew into love. Beautiful thought.
TheMe, thank you. Congratulations in advance on your upcoming anniversary.
ReplyDelete[I] have never actually proposed!
Shocking! Then are you truly married?
BTW, I had a nice glass of pinot noir in your honour.
ReplyDeleteCaminante, don't you remember? We clinked virtual glasses, except that mine held Shiraz.
ReplyDeleteDear Grandmère and Grandpère, Wow! Yes, it is romantic! Congratulations, and may you have many, many more.
ReplyDeleteShocking! Then are you truly married?
ReplyDeleteI believe so. We certainly did the standing in front of God's local franchise operator and making the neccesary commitments and got the piece of paper to say that we did so. Either that or it was all a dream and this strange woman has just been hanging out with me.
Yes, Grandmère, I read your description of sweet submission, and figured that was more of a wish, a prayer if you will, than reality.
ReplyDeleteOf course, in my defense, my perception was tainted by my inability to imagine my grandmother behaving in such a way ("Leroy!").
Romantic be hanged, you've been together for 46 years and it works for you two and hun, that's incredibly romantic.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and hugs for you both. :)
Sorry, I missed you yesterday, Mimi. Belated happy day--when the congratulations come late, then you get to celebrate longer!
ReplyDeleteThanks all y'all, early or late. I'm still celebrating now. I have a glass of Shiraz beside me at this moment.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrated with a jazz brunch on Sunday, where I buzzed on mimosas. Just a wee buzz, really.
Dear Grandmère Mimi, you are entitled to all the buzzes you want this day and this week! Enjoy your Shiraz and your dear Grandpère. I am sending you both virtual hugs and for-real prayers of thanksgiving. Congratulations on the long years and on your witness to the world. It sounds like what you and Grandpère have is and includes friendship, and that is precious, beautiful, and of course it is love!
ReplyDeleteLet me take this happy day's opportunity to thank you again for your inspiring blog.
Ad multos annos! Here's to many more years of married friendship and good health for you and the fabulous gardening Grandpère.
Jane, thank you. Lovely greetings all. I'm overwhelmed, truly. No snark here.
ReplyDeleteMimi--would you think I was awful if I told you how much I envy you? I really wanted that for myself---the kind of marriage that would last, growing old and comfortable like a pair of well-loved shoes.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents had that marriage. And I honestly believe I would have had it with my first husband, if he had not been gay. He still loves me, and I still love him---though not in "that" way.
He always thought I could hang the moon---still does, in fact. He told me so a few weeks ago, when he came to my birthday party. That's the kind of relationship every woman should have...I suppose I am lucky to have had it in any form.
Ah...forgive my musings. It is raining here for the first time in months, I am drinking a nice glass of zinfandel, and the children are gone. Jasper is chewing a bone at my feet, and told me to tell you that he, too, wishes you a blessed anniversary.
Doxy, I don't think you're awful. We have been blessed, and I thank God for that.
ReplyDeleteWe had periods when we seemed to be at each others throats more than was good, but we've found as we've aged that some things are not worth the energy it takes to fight about them. Many of those same issues were probably not worth fighting about back then either, but we didn't know it.
I think it's great that you and your gay ex are such good friends, and that he gives you support even now.
I'm glad you're getting rain.
Well, Grandmere, I'm very late, but just as happy for you as I would have been, had I been on time! May you celebrate long and well. And here's to the next 46.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, Grandmère and Grandpère, for showing the rest of us how to do it.
ReplyDeletePax, C.
LJ, Cecilia, thank you. You missed a great party. ;o)
ReplyDelete