Michelle did say to the person who inquired about what caught my eye that she thought that when we were together we sure did laugh a lot. Laughter is underrated. Enjoying who you’re with is underrated. Love… well, that’s maybe underrated too.
In less than two weeks, I will be married! I can’t wait to get gold around Mr. Ring Finger. Been a long time. It actually might take some getting used to.
This wedding is no surprise. Last week was the fourth anniversary of our engagement. We don’t like to rush things around here! All the kids are in college or beyond, both of our houses have sold, and we are ready to be together full time.
It is strange to marry at age 56. There aren’t wedding jitters; no baby’s breath in braidesmaids’ hair; no drunken bachelor party for me; no parents to pay for the festivities. Its actually simpler. Find a woman you love, propose, when the right time comes… get hitched.
Someone recently asked Michelle what Julie had that caught my eye. We laughed at her response, which was essentially: I don’t know anything about old people falling in love, you’re gonna need to ask him.
It’s not easy to sell a house you’ve lived in for thirty years. It isn’t easy to combine your household belongings and toss out the rusty meat fork you’ve been accustomed to because your soon-to-be spouse thinks it might give her lock jaw. It’s not easy to merge Christmas traditions and pare back your ornaments or learn to share your kitchen again. One day recently Julie was giving me input on how to make mashed potatoes. I was a bit annoyed – as if I didn’t know. She said, “Well, I’ve been queen of my kitchen for the past ten years.” I responded, “And I’ve been king of mine!”
When it comes down to it, the meat fork doesn’t matter. I’m finding that hers is just as good and doesn’t leave flecks of Teflon in the ground turkey. She actually does make better mashed potatoes than I but my Christmas tree light stringing strategies far exceed hers.
What really matters is – do we love and enjoy each other? And the answer to that is yes.
We have a lot of kids… but they are growing up and living their own lives. Who will we be left with? Each other.
When you find the right one, whether you’re 22 or 56, being together is well worth the adjustments that have to be made. When your heart speaks, it is easy to listen.