Max and Mary sittin' in a tree...

k-i-s-s-i-n-g!...first comes love...then comes marriage...the comes my mama in a baby carriage...

Today my grandparents are celebrating 56 years of marriage.


My grandpa, Papaw, says that the first time he noticed my Mamaw she was on her way to play tennis with her sister. He thought that she was looking pretty cute in her tennis shorts. Apparently all 18-19 year old boys are the same.

My grandma, Mamaw, wore his class ring upside down so that it read, "H.O.W." for his initials, instead of "M.O.H." I think she wanted to keep the identity of her new beau under wraps. If you knew her, that would not shock you one bit.

They were married young. Mamaw was only eighteen. Eighteen!

I would imagine that their early years of marriage were not easy ones. Papaw was pursuing a bachelors degree and Mamaw had my mom the very next January. And then, while Papaw was still going to school, Mamaw had my uncle John two years after that. And then my uncle David three years after that.

I don't know the logistics or really remember the details...but they moved a lot. No, really. A LOT. And Papaw finished a bachelors degree, masters degree and PhD in there somewhere. I cannot fathom being my Mamaw during that time. A young wife and mother trying to run a household, while Papaw worked and went to school. I do not know how she maintained her sanity during that time. Some days, when I'm thinking about whining about having a hard day, I think of Mamaw. With her three young children, hand washing her clothes, making dinners from scratch and doing most everything on her own.

I admire my grandparents for so many things. They are both amazingly smart, driven and well respected by all who know them. But I think what I admire most is the apparent love they have for each other. No, they do not agree about everything. And, no, they do not speak sweetly to each other every moment. But they do make each other laugh, share a mutual respect and it is obvious to anyone watching that they love each other deeply.

My grandparents have always been a big part of my life. Their home has been a safe haven for me during some of my darkest times- a home away from home. I feel so proud to be their granddaughter. And I count myself lucky to be witness to such an amazing marriage.