I married my best friend 55 tears ago! While many have heard our story, I am going to go back in time…..
When I was 15 years old, I was asked by some friends to accompany their BBG chorale group with my magic, yet overrated piano prowess. A chance to spend a lot of time with 26 girls sounded like a good deal to me! The chorus, was led by the inimitable, Mort Giniger, Dad of my good friend Pat, Anyway, we were invited to perform at a convention in Baltimore and off we went to DC and Baltimore….26 girls and one guy…I liked the odds! While I was friends with some of the girls, I only knew the names of most of them….including this curly haired, freckle faced, shy girl named Connie. But we hit it off and became a couple shortly thereafter. 60 years ago!!
But, we we went to different high schools and lived across town from each other, so we were on again, off again until our Senior Year, when we became became “ConnienadRoy;’…one word! and although we went to college 3 hours away from each other, we managed to see each other most weekends. Although we decided we wanted to spend our life together, I went the traditional route and asked her parents permission, bought a ring and Winter break of 1979 we officially became engaged at The Steak and Ale. Of course, Connie's Mom spilled the beans to Connie before I could officially ask her to marry me So on August 15, 1971. we got married!
The naysayers said we were too young…the betting odds was that we wouldn’t last. Our wedding day started with the later much talked about “dress incident.”. As we arrived at the Temple early to dress and take pictures, in walked the new wife of Connie’s Dad wearing the same dress as Connie’Mom. After a Mexicans standoff, StepMom finally acquiesced and left to get a new dress from the shop owner that was handling the fridesmaid’s dresses and she and Connie’s Dad, came within minutes of missing the wedding, But alas, they arrived just in time for him to walk Connie down the aisle.
Wine we were driving away from the temple after receptionm Connie remarked about the noise the cans tied to the bumper were making and my little brother popped up from under the balloons in the back seat! And 55 years later, he still makes me laugh when I need it…including last night, when I was confronting the fact that my eyesight is worsening and the condition that has caused partial blindness in my left eye is becoming bilateral and affecting my right eye. I won't repeat his comment, since this is still a PG rated blog..but he made me laugh until the tears were rolling down my face…I laughed until it hurt!
But, I digress.....
We were in love...but did we really know what love is? We were about to find out.
Finishing my last 2 years of College while working long hours and getting support everyday (in our $95/month one bedroom apartment)...together...that's love
Raising 2 great kids....together...that's love.
Surviving a fire in our first Atlanta appartment, clinging to each other as we waited for the firemen to rescue us from the 3rd floor balcony...together....that's love.
Moving to Boston with just the 4 of us, without knowing anybody....together...that's love.
Moving to Florida, with a hope and a dream and standing by each other...together...that's love.
Facing aging parents and their deaths...together...that's love.
Celebrating business successes and enduring business losses...together...that's love.
Giving each other space to do their own thing...together...that's love.
Having the collected fortitude to celebrate all of life's joys and face all of life's problems...together... that's love.
Caring more about the other's problems and happiness than their own...together...that's love.
Always being there for each other....together...that's love.
Worrying, Crying and laughing - a lot...together...that's love.
And, now, we are back to being a one word couple, "SabaandCoco" to our grandchildren...together...that's love.
I now know the true meaning of love. I fell for Connie then and would wouldn't trade it for anything.
Happy Anniversary to my partner in everything that matters. I love you!
