The Old People have been married 72 years, come December. At 65 years, we tried to convince the Old Woman that most folks retired at 65. They are more affectionate and openly grateful for each other now than I recall when I was a young monkey.
The Old Woman and the Old Man started courting when she was just 14-15 years old. They eloped 3 days after her 18th birthday. Literally, they have been together forever. But, when I was a young monkey, the Old Woman told me a story that gave me a bit of perspective about love.
She said that when she was a teen, one year on Easter, she received a telegram from the Old Man wishing her a Happy Easter. Telegrams were a big deal. It may very well have been the only telegram she received in her life. She said it made her little teenaged heart swoon. She cherished the telegram because the meaning behind it must be true love.
After they married, as an act of devotion, the Old Man gave the Old Woman his diary to read . . . so that there would be no secrets. On that particular Easter, he had written:
Today, I sent all my girlfriends telegrams.
And, the honeymoon was over and the business of the nitty-gritty of married life began.
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