Saturday, June 20, 2009

Forty Years Together


June 21st, 1969 is the day my husband, Lon, and I were married. Every year, June 21st launches all of us into summer; that particular date in 1969, launched Lon and I into a marriage that has held for forty years.

Our paths first crossed at Turner High School, Lon’s being the first class to graduate from the new school and mine being the second. Turner was a small school so everyone knew everyone else, at least on a face-recognition level . Lon and I were in only one class together, French. He still shakes his head when he remembers how I talked back to the teacher upon occasion. (Being a good student, I got away with things). Mr. Yost was a frail, timid man whose lower lip would tremble when he was frustrated and it quivered more than once because of me. (I often wonder why Lon later hooked up with me when he’d seen my mischievous side. I take some consolation in knowing he had fair warning of what he was in for).

My first impressions of Lon weren’t earth-shattering, but I did take notice of him. For some strange reason, my most vivid mind video is of him and his buddies rushing to the cafeteria for lunch. They were starving, but were trying to obey the no running in the halls rule. He was brimming with energy and anticipation as he rounded the corner and caught sight of the cooks in the kitchen. That was my first positive impression of the man I would marry. (Fortunately, my mother loved to cook and satisfied him in that department with frequent big meals for many, many years because cooking wasn’t and still isn’t a passion of mine).

Our first dates were double dates, but not with each other. Lon was dating a classmate of his and I was paired with one of his best friends. These were our first chances to get to know one another, yet we weren’t brought together as a direct result of those shared experiences.

Lon was a basketball star, a baseball star and he played football. He was a coach’s dream, giving everything within his ability to whatever sport he was playing. He rarely rode the bus home from school because he normally had basketball, baseball or football practice right after school. On what I thought was a typical school day afternoon, I climbed on board the bus to find every single seat filled. As I headed down the aisle, I saw Lon sitting about two-thirds of the way back. As usual, he was wearing an ear-to-ear grin. Our eyes met, he patted his thigh and with only a second or two’s hesitation, I took a seat on his knee. We were both dating someone else, but that didn’t seem to matter. Fine students that we were, safety on the bus came first. (Yeah, right).

To reciprocate his offer of a place to sit, I invited him over to play pool. We lived on adjacent streets and not too far from residing in back-to-back houses. The bus dropped Lon off first and then me. I no sooner got in the house and put my books down and he was bounding up the steps and knocking on the door. I wonder what Mom thought. She’d never laid eyes on him before but had to be impressed by his boyish enthusiasm and sincerely friendly personality. I led him downstairs to the pool table and after showing him how the game “should” be played, the rest is history.

From then on, we were inseparable. A year or two after we claimed each other, we planned to marry, but we both wanted to have a good start so we waited, worked and saved our money. Doing that, we had all new furniture, appliances and everything else we needed to move into an apartment when we married three years after that fateful bus ride.

My first job was at Sears and Lon worked for his father in his painting and decorating business. In October of 1978, our son, Jared was born. Our lives changed but at thirty years of age, we were ready for the change. Now Jared is thirty years old. He works with Lon in the business that Lon’s father started in 1952.

I’ve had a ringside seat to watch as Lon and Jared have played and worked together. The bond between them is amazing for me to observe even after all these years. Lon thinks that Jared and I are the greatest gifts he’s ever received. How do I know that? How do Jared and I both know that? Lon’s actions and words more than prove how he feels.

I don’t understand Lon’s capacity for loving me and I never will, that much I have figured out. All I can do is accept it and do my best to deserve it. I know that I'll never be able to give as much of myself to him as he does to me. He shakes his head when I tell him that and thinks otherwise, of course.

So tomorrow is the big day. I’ve brought out our wedding pictures and we’ll sit down and go through them by ourselves and again with Jared. Forty years is a long time. I thank God for Lon, for Jared and for the joy of every single year.

14 comments:

Lia said...

Ooooh, how lovely are you two, all those years and still loved up.

I hope you have a wonderful time.

Much Love Lia xxxx

Rob said...

Congrats on 40 years together!

WayUpSolutions said...

Look at you newly weds! Your wedding picture brought a big grin to my face - it's beautiful. And what a heartwarming story! I hope you have a wonderful anniversary celebration together. Congratulations.

Beth W. said...

Great to see that stunning All-American couple is still in love, still best friends forty years and counting. Congratulations, Shaddy and Lon!

Sarah said...

This is just fantastic. And what a wonderful story to wake up and read with my morning coffee. I didn't know any of this (including that you both went to Turner too!). I certainly appreciate this glimpse into your past Shaddy, and how you and Lon, the magic man, met. He is the sweetest of hearts and so are you.

As you already know, I adore you both, so this story has a special place in my heart now. Thank you so much for writing it and posting it for all of us.

Congratulations you two! I'm so happy for you both, and even happier that I get to call you both my friends. I hope your day is absolutely perfect today!

With much love,
Sarie and Russ MUAH!

Cheryl Peters said...

Lia, Rob, Zelda, Beth and my Sarie: I love that you shared your thoughts with us on this significant day. Part of me wants to run around the neighborhood and climb up on the rooftop, shouting "It's our 40th wedding anniversary. Isn't that something!"

As I leaned one of Lon's aluminum ladders against the house and started to climb up, Lon caught me before I could start shouting. He didn't think it was appropriate so I've had to change my plans. Fortunately, he keeps me from doing insane things and from later being embarrassed by them.

Thanks again y'all. You have a great day, too.

Anonymous said...

That is so wonderful! Happy Anniversary!!!!

Cheryl Peters said...

Thank you, Linda.

Gullible said...

Happy anniversary, Shaddy and Lon. A very happy anniversary.

Love, Gully

Cheryl Peters said...

Gully and Annie: Thank you for stopping in and for the kind words.

Walk said...

Congrat you two. 40 years is an accomplishment that not many couples make. May you make 40 more.

By the way, love the "That Girl" hairdo.

Cheryl Peters said...

Hey, Walk: Thanks for your comment. On our 80th anniversary, we're planning to book a cruise to Never Never Land.

Anonymous said...

That's so awesome. Happy Anniversary.

Cheryl Peters said...

Courtney: It is pretty amazing, isn't it? I can't quite comprehend it but I'm faking it pretty well. :)