A Christmas Tale

Each year, as I am about to write my Christmas cards, I’m reminded of a December day long ago . . .

At that time, Crystal was a young lady, about 19 years of age. She had just accepted a new job in the office of a manufacturing company. She hadn’t been there too long before she met Sir Beads. Although she already had a boyfriend, she found him very charming and enjoyed talking with him. She learned he was new to the area and lived alone in a small apartment.

Crystal thought that must be rather lonely. She wondered if he ate properly or if he could even cook! Crystal was the oldest of six kids and her mother always prepared more than enough food, so Crystal began to bring Sir Beads home after work to assure he got a decent meal – sometimes!

Her family liked Sir Beads immediately. Her Mom would often scold her, though, for leaving the table to take phone calls from her boyfriend, while Sir Beads waited patiently, chatting with her brothers and sisters. Crystal didn’t see it as a problem. After all, when she met Sir Beads, she already had a boyfriend; surely Sir Beads wasn’t expecting her to be his date.

One day, as Crystal’s mother was writing Christmas cards, she asked for Sir Beads’ address. Crystal began to rattle off the street and number – but suddenly her mother interrupted:

“Wait! I want to get my address book and write it in there, too!”

Crystal laughed and said;

“Oh, Mum, don’t bother! I won’t even know him next Christmas.”

By the time the next Christmas rolled around . . .

Crystal and Sir Beads were married. Not only did Crystal still “know” Sir Beads, but she was signing his name along with her own on “their” Christmas cards.

She didn’t realize when she first met him that he was “the one”.

He, however, has said he knew from the start.

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Always and Forever

She awoke very early that morning, after a night of little rest.

She’d been much too excited to sleep. The first thing she noticed after jumping out of bed was her long white gown hanging on the closet door.

She quickly raised the window shade and gasped to see that the trees were blowing wildly, and ominous grey clouds swirled in the sky. She knew that late August was hurricane season in New England, but this storm came out of the blue! The weatherman had predicted only “a chance of showers”.

“Is this a bad omen on my wedding day?” she wondered out loud, but quickly dismissed the thought and began to get dressed.

She was happy; she was nervous; she was SCARED! Her mind wandered and suddenly she was sure she was making a huge mistake. Her heart raced and she felt a little faint. She tried to put it out of her mind. After all, there were guests on the way. The reception was booked and the dinner paid in full. There was no choice – she had to go through with it.

With butterflies zooming around in her stomach, she rode to the church. The skies looked darker and more threatening. The winds were recklessly whipping her veil as she climbed the steps. Just inside the doors, her parents kept her company until an usher gave the signal that the ceremony was about to begin. She took a very deep breath. Then, as organ music filled the air, she reached for her father’s arm and started down the aisle.

In the distance, she saw him . . . waiting for her. He looked so handsome in his wedding attire.

He smiled as she approached the altar, but she noticed he looked nervous. At that very moment, all of her fears melted away. She was now focusing solely on him and thinking of how she could help him to be calm.

She felt her confidence return – they were doing the right thing . . . they were right for eachother.

After the ceremony, the doors were opened and the bride and groom stepped outside. To everyone’s amazement – the sun was shining brightly! There was no longer any trace of the storm. The new couple believed this was a wonderful sign.

And it was . . . 😉

Sir Beads and I will celebrate our 39th anniversary this weekend. Would I do it all over again?

Oh yes – in a rainstorm, in a hurricane, in a tornado, or a blizzard! I never forget how lucky I am to have found my true love.

If you are reading this, Sweet Husband, thank you!

For 39 years, you’ve made my heart sing. . .

Let’s go for 39 more! 😀

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The Good Wife

As often as possible . . . I do try to be a “good wife”. 😉

But you’ll laugh when I tell you the predicament into which I unknowingly put Sir Beads yesterday!

As he was leaving for work in the morning, I asked him if he would mind grabbing a few items from the grocery store on his way home. He said “No problem.” So, I dashed off a little list of the things we needed and he quickly stuffed it into his shirt pocket as he headed out the door.

When he came home last night, he told me that he had made a funny discovery during the workday. At one point, he glanced down at his shirt and it seems that part of the “list” had worked its way out of his pocket! This is what was showing to any and all he may have encountered in the course of business:

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I was blushing and laughing at the same time as we wondered what people must have thought when they saw that! LOL

Here’s the list – unfolded.

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Next time, maybe I should just email him . . . but I suppose that would mean less excitement for the co-workers!

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Wedded Bliss

And they said it wouldn’t last. (Just kidding.)

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Thirty-eight years ago tomorrow . . .

[ I was in kindergarten. Why are you laughing? I WAS! 😉 ]

I was lucky enough to marry a man who has made my life happier than I ever could have imagined. I’m sure in a dictionary somewhere – there’s a picture of him right beside the words “great husband”.

He’s been my best friend, a loving father for our kids, and the perfect partner through whatever life has sent our way.

If you were to ask him, I’m sure he’d say the same thing about me . . .

Isn’t that right, Dear?

Dear??? Isn’t that right?

Seriously, we’re so lucky. Please celebrate with us . . .

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and a slice of cake all around! 😀

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