On February 24, 2018 my parents will celebrate their 45th anniversary! This week cooped up together in a mountain house has given us an opportunity to ask questions we thought we already knew the answer to or thought would have a lifetime to ask. Ben got the party started with some questions about how they’ve managed to have a “happy” relationship for 45 years. Mom answered succinctly then asked “was that all?” Ben said “no, I have a lot of questions.” I think we all do. I joined the fun asking Dad about how they ended up together. I always knew they met and were married within 4 months (simpler times, right?) but I was curious about how it all went down. Ben said “he sticks a Post It on her that says ‘its mine’.” In Dad’s words:
“We met at a wedding, my old sweetheart’s wedding. I went with my friend who was dating. Even though I rode 60 miles with them he told me to get in the car with this other sister. It was Luci* and she was driving her brother’s Cougar. ~raises his eyebrows suggestively~ (I said “ew”, Jimmy Fallon style, lol) We got to the 1st stop light and she looked at me and said ‘you wanna drive’ I said ‘yeeeeeeah girl! I’ll drive from here on out.’ We were married 4 months later and… she’s been driving ever since.”
*and a chaperone, a special pioneer sister, in the car too-he conveniently added this part later, lol
No marriage is perfect and Ben & I have had a bird’s eye view of Mom and Dad’s. So we can confidently say that they truly are each other’s best friend. Knowing him best, Mom does have very unequivocal opinions that if he does choose to remarry, who he should and, more importantly, should NOT marry. As we consider the best options in caring for Mom, regardless of what course of treatment she chooses, moving them closer to us has been a topic on the table. Dad was discussing how it would be smart to purchase a home a least 20% below retail value then said “if I choose to remarry, I’ll be sure to look for a woman at 20% below market.” DOFL (Dead On Floor Laughing… too soon? Blame Dad for this one. Although Mom thought it was funny too.)
Finally, Mom has been insistent that we don’t need to concern ourselves with finding a Kingdom Hall large enough to accommodate her memorial service since so few are likely to attend. Last night I showed her that in only 30 minutes after sharing the first post there had already been over 260 views. She quipped back “Bless their hearts! Don’t they have anything better to do?” Followed by her signature laugh.
Fyi: There are now nearly 800 views in less than 24 hours. We sincerely appreciate you all sharing the love and especially the funny stories about Mom! Keep those coming!
So, by all means, go get a life. All of you!
Dying Laughing 
I genuinely love this. I feel like simply because I’ve met you and got the chance to spend a smidgen of time with you, that I absolutely love your parents. Thank you and your family for sharing yall’s “journey”. Your blog has been bookmarked/saved to my home screen. Jonathan and I both send our love to you all. Hug your mama for me.
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I love this Beth and I look forward to reading more of your family’s adventures!
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If laughter is the best medicine, then I would say that your mom is getting the BEST care being in your family! It is maddening that our bodies sometimes turn against us in this imperfect state. The only thing that keeps us sane is knowing these terrible things are only temporary. Keep each other laughing and know that we are laughing with you and sending the biggest hugs that will travel through the Interweb!!! 😝😘💓
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4 months!! They had our dating record beat 35 years before us!! Oh and was that the cougar Dad sold to buy Mom’s engagement ring?? ❤️❤️ 45 years is awesome!!!
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This is awesome!! I hear her laugh still. Nothing like positivity and faith and a little bit if insanity now and then to make everyday worth living to its fullest! Love you all!! …., p.s. We laughed all the way through my
Mom’s memorial because, as her brother put it – THAT was Bettie!… So, Keep it Luci!!
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Why did I actually hear her voice when I read the “Bless their hearts- don’t they have anything better to do?” Lol
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I remember sitting on Luci’s bed at the house in Liberty and her telling me (and Marci Pease) that she was gonna marry Dana. I can count on one hand the number of times in my life that I have truly felt jubilant. That was one of them. My friend Luci was gonna marry my lifelong friend Dana (yeah Dana has known me since I was born and is more like a brother/cousin than just a friend) Them gettin’ married was awesome before “awesome” was cool! A better match was never made. Luci and the laughter that comes from time spent in her (& Dana’s) company are high points of my life. Fortunately, when Ronnie came into my life, he agreed, and so has been more than willing to share the joy whenever/wherever the opportunity. Thank you for the gift of yourself, Luci, my friend, and for being willing to be my sister/cousin.
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❤
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