A Meatloaf Marriage
Some dear friends of ours have been married more than 50 years. For him, it was love at first sight. He spotted her at a local beach and told his buddies that he was going to marry her. Incredulous, they reminded him that he hadn’t even met her yet! No matter…he’d made up his mind. A date soon followed, then another, and another. He was so thoroughly smitten that he even went out and had her name tattooed on his arm. Unfortunately, she quickly informed him that she despised tattoos. Had he been thinking clearly, he would’ve checked with her beforehand, but undoubtedly, he was drifting along in a fog of infatuation.
Not to be discouraged, he continued courting her with tender romance and promises of a lifetime of loving-kindness. Eventually, she accepted his proposal of marriage, and the rest, as they say, is history. To this day, they are madly in love with each other, and their marriage relationship is an inspiration to all who know them.
During the course of this sweet couple’s marriage, they have experienced their share of ups-and-downs. One of the more traumatic times was when she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago. As you can imagine, this was overwhelming news. Facing cancer is never easy. Facing the loss of a part of oneself that represents womanhood is devastating. She grieved, not only for the loss, but for fear that her husband would find her less attractive, less feminine, and less desirable.
When she expressed her anxiety to him, he ~ being the loving and devoted husband he was ~ soothed her very soul with words of encouragement, reassurance, and a dash of humor. He simply informed her that he had married her, not for her breasts, but for her meatloaf. His gentle yet playful response at once put her at ease, and convinced her that they were still the lovebirds they’d always been.
Take a lesson from a man who has romanced his Sweetheart for nearly six decades. Lift up your lovely bride when she’s low, and remind her that you’ll always love her meatloaf, no matter what!
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"Enjoy life with the wife you love, all the days of your fleeting life . . ." ~ Ecclesiastes 9:9