saturday evenings…
The kids were off doing other things. We were fine with that, had even given permission for such things…for that left time for two. So we took our plates laden with grilled chicken and salad out to our cheap adirondack Wal-Mart chairs and we sat and ate, just the two of us. She had an iPhone in her lap listening to the play-by-play of the Arkansas Razorbacks and I had a radio stationed nearby playing The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark. We’ve learned to listen to two stations like that; its one of the tricks of the long-married. Touchdown, Arkansas! mingled with the wee small hours of the morning…one might not think them compatible, but compatible was never our goal.
We talked about her Dad, how he loved Razorback football, and how he used to sit with friends in a detached garage and watch the game, but listen to it on the radio. She talked about being cut from such cloth and I said I like that about you. I wondered aloud what my kids would remember of me some day when they are grown and gone and enjoying a meal for one or two on a Saturday night. She said they’ll remember you listening to Sinatra…
What’s the secret to marriage? Hell, I don’t know. And I’m quite suspect of anyone claiming to know, even if they sold a million copies of a book about marriage (maybe especially so). All I know is dusk-laden Saturday evenings when we steal away, just the two of us, and sit and remember where we came from and what we like about one another and what we hope they’ll one day remember in the wee small hours.
Sounds like an absolutely perfect evening….. It’s a rarity these days when our house is empty for just the two of us, but when it is it’s a beautiful thing!!
Does a heart good to remember the days gone by!!! To remember those things about those we’ve loved and lost. It’s another depth of healing to the grieving heart. As I am waiting for the birth of my first grandbaby (whose due date is tomorrow) I find myself reminiscing about the time I was waiting for her mother to make her entrance…. took me back into the memories of my dad and how much he would have loved to be here for this. He loved babies…especially mine! He’s been gone now 2 1/2 years… I don’t think you ever stop missing them……
I’m glad you two got some time to yourselves… oh and my husband listens to Frank too!!!
Blessings,
Julie
Julie, yes, I don’t think you ever stop missing them…blessings back to you as well.
So Frank is a good thing in this group, I see. Hubby loves Frank Sinatra. One of our favorite dates was when I took him to a show called “Simply Sinatra”. I even bought a new party dress and we got all duded up. What a lovely evening that was.
I don’t know the secret to marriage. I’ve only been married 4.5 years. But we must be doing something right. One of our sons (his sons that I try to be good to, but not “mother” them) listed me as his Mother on Facebook yesterday. Tears. You have no idea what kind of compliment that was. I hope he sees good things in our marriage and thinks of us when hears Frank singing in the background somewhere.
Carolyn, that FB thing is an absolute gem! Those are the things we remember…
Good stuff John. Still waiting on that marriage book from Meredith and you. I’d buy a case of those too.
Mike, save the book money, spend it on your wife…she’s prettier than me.
tears.
Thanks, Winn…
What a happy picture you have painted. Will you be able to hear Sinatra over the Hogs once conference play begins? Thank you for adding joy to today. We are celebrating my husband’s 45th birthday today & our 2 1/2 yr old is giddy at the thought of helping me make his cake today. It is sure to take 3x as long, but it should be a hoot. Hoping you & yours have a peace-filled Sunday.
Thanks, Jennifer…we’ve been watching the video clips of your little one on FB…we’ve laughed and smiled and laughed and smiled…here’s hoping Sunday is peaceful for us all.
Good, good stuff here.
I have even cheaper chairs on a screened-in porch, but I think I’ll wipe them down and send the kids off someplace so my husband and I can sit and remember what we like about each other.
Ann, I highly recommend it…hope you and yours are well.