Twenty-Seven Lovely Years

Donald and I celebrate twenty-seven years of marriage today.

I remember sharing Robert Browning's words from his poem Rabbi Ben Ezra -  "grow old along with me, the best is yet to be . . . "

Did we have any idea those words were so, so true?  Of course not.  We were happy, we were in love.  Thoughts of our future were seen through rose colored glasses.

We stood in that small chapel in Smyrna, Georgia and professed our trust in our future together.  In front of God.  In front of family and friends.  It was a perfect day.

But, of course, like any marriage, we have gone through some tough times. 

And we have gone through some of the loveliest of times.

And we have learned so much about one another.  I had no idea the love I felt for this man could grow so much deeper. 

We'll have more tough times ahead of us - and we'll have more of the lovely times, but we now know, without the slightest bit of doubt, we'll have them together - till death do us part.  And that makes the tough times less tough, and the lovely times lovelier.

We laugh, we cry, and we do it together . . . .

And we know that growing old together is the best thing we'll ever do.

My friend Michael has a terrific blog - "It Rains . . .  You Get Wet."  He pointed this one out to me today thinking it might be appropriate for us - and I love it.  Thank you, Michael.

http://le0pard13.com/2013/05/07/music-break-the-great-gatsbys-young-and-beautiful-by-lana-del-rey/





He even included the lyrics - - - which I'd like, in turn, to share with each of you.

I've seen the world
Done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel-Air now
Hot summer nights mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, the city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
I've seen the world, lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in, the new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you'd play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
Dear lord when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you'll let him
Father tell me if you can
Oh that grace, oh that body
Oh that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful