My mom and dad would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past August. They met in high school when they were 16 years old. Dad was in the wrestling club and mom was writing a story about the sport for the school paper. Dad thought she was beautiful and had big boobs. And that was that.
They got married when they were 20 years old, bought their first home at 24, welcomed me at 25, and my sister, Megan, three years later. They drove two Chevettes-- an orange one and a brown one and the orange one even had air conditioning and a working radio. They were proudly living the American dream... 2 kids, 2 cars, 2 jobs, and a house of their own.
My dad always knew he was going to die young. He just did. As a result, it was incredibly important to him to save money and prepare for the future in case mom ever had to raise us alone. Looking back, it was one of the kindest, most self-sacrificing things he and my mom did for all of us-- investing and saving so much, for so many years, even when times and money were tight and they had no one to turn to for help.
That's not to say he didn't like splurging on my mom. One time my dad surprised my mom with a brand-new black Corvette, complete with a license plate that reads "TINYS" (his nickname for her since they were teenagers)! Pretty damn cool. She still drives it today. He would also tell her to "Buy whatever you want, Tiny" and loved having her model the new clothes she bought. My mom loves to find a deal though and the two of them would laugh at how much she was able to buy for next to nothing. Stores have actually paid my mom to carry stuff home!
That's not to say my father was a saint... or easy to live with for all those years. Then again I'm quite certain no one I've ever met is. My mom comes closest I imagine and dad knew he won the lottery by marrying her. What I know for sure is this... it would absolutely break his heart to know how much his absence is hurting my mom. It would devastate him.
Although we all wish theirs had been a longer story, I am certain he is in heaven watching over my mom and all of us...
These posts about your Dad are the ones your boys are going to cherish the most. What a sweet post about how much he loved your mom. He obviously wanted to take care of your mom and protect her. It would crush him to know she is so sad...but certainly a testament to the love they share.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I wish I could give you and your mom a hug right now. xoxo, Alison
ReplyDeleteAhhh What a tearjerker you are!! But it's all true, and really beautiful. They did good. I love you all. *sniff
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