And they said it wouldn't last.
Last Thursday marked 60 years to the day since Karen and I tied the knot. A friend said he thought we had a big anniversary coming up and I dismissed that thought telling her At our age every anniversary is big.
I didn’t want to say anything about our anniversary before September 9 as I am sensitive to the fact there would have been an outpouring of gifts (mainly cash, I suspect) from friends and readers of this blog. Now, you’re off the hook.
You can be assured that no couple stays together for six decades unless there is real glue that binds them. We refer to ourselves as a team. As I told somebody during COVID House Arrest, It’s a good thing we still like each other or this experience would be miserable.
That said, it would be pollyannaish to think we don’t have our occasional differences. The number 60 marks a good point to be transparent about those.
Travel: Karen is a great traveler. We have visited more than 50 countries together. That’s a plus for any couple. My issue is one related to local travel. She never stops insisting that I roll up the car window at least halfway so her hair doesn’t get messed up. My position on this defining issue is that all car windows must always be open at all times and that includes the rooftop as well. I strongly dislike car air conditioning. Open the windows, Karen. Don’t worry about your hair. Your hair looks great.
Food: Pork chops are another important issue. I like roast pork. I like bacon. I am not a fan of pork chops. Karen knows that but - as sure as the sun coming up tomorrow - pork chops are on the table every three weeks or so. Her grade for this would be much higher if we had pork chops every three years, not every three weeks. It’s downright hurtful to continue with pork chops. I have feelings, too. Where’s the empathy?
Those are the two major issues that surface as I review 60 years.
In the early part of my career, I worked for a communications firm that held social events several times each year. You could set your watch to the fact that as soon as Karen made an entrance, people would say Here comes poor Karen. This would be followed by lots of comments such as How do you put up with this guy? I never went to any social event where people said Here comes poor Davis or How do you put up with that woman? Not once has that ever happened.
It will be 61 years this December on the last day of our fall semester at UNC that a friend said he was having a party that night, but I had to bring a date. I replied everyone I know had already gone home for the holiday break. So, he offered to set me up with a blind date. He said, It’s no big deal. You’ll never have to take her out again. That blind date was Karen and here we are all these years later very much still a team.
Despite the car windows and the pork chops - and those are not small issues - Karen grades out at Triple A+++. It’s been a great ride and it’s not over yet.
I must say that after 60 years, I am really on the cusp of finally making a long-term commitment.
Here’s to 65 years!
DY: In Just a Few Words is a blog that comes out when something needs to be said or every Tuesday - whichever comes first. Davis Young is a communications professional who adds 50+ years of experience and perspective to issues of the day. His emphasis in DY: In Just a Few Words will be humor (a touch of sarcasm here, a pinch of facetiousness there...). Once in a while, he will touch on something a bit more serious - but hopefully not too deep or depressing.
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