50 years with Andrew

Oh, I’d seen him alright, that guy standing at the front of St. Charles school gym, strumming his guitar, face lifted heavenward like he was seeing angels. But in that crowded gym packed with young people worshipping together, I certainly didn’t think he’d be the kind of guy who’d be interested in girls. He seemed more monk-ish. More apt to live a celibate life, head in his Bible, and way too serious for me.

But I later learned that he had, in fact, been covertly checking me out and had made a deal with God that if I showed up at his church, he’d take that as a sign and ask me out. And soon after, one Sunday morning, I showed up. The following day, I was sitting on one of the 200 buses running in Hamilton, Ontario and who gets on the same bus? You guessed it! He was heading downtown to buy a new jacket and would I like to join him?

The jacket purchased, he asked if I had time for a coffee and I assessed this man with his thin, 6 foot frame, looking as if he’d been built from angles rather than curves. Ah, but those lips, full and begging to be kissed!

“Sure” I agreed.

The following Wednesday, he asked if I’d like to go on a date with him along with our friends, Bob and Joanne.

Martin's Steak House.

50 years ago.

My parents didn’t think it would last. I was only 20 years old. He was 7 years older and had worked at 7 different jobs in 2 years. He’d done drugs. Wandered around Europe. Not financially stable. And worse- they’d read the cover story in Time Magazine about Jesus freaks and he was one of them.

“God help us”, they’d said.

And He did.

As two strong-willed first-borns, we’ve had our share of challenges. But we know that our healthy long-term relationship is not about avoiding all conflict but being committed to staying in the never ending cycle of harmony, disharmony and repair.

Our family motto: “Love Never Fails” is the goal. It may look like buttering his toast while it’s hot or about making sure the oil gets changed in the car. It’s about being each other’s scaffolding, when we feel like crumbling. But mostly, it’s about drawing upon the One who is Love and helps us do the next loving thing.

I can’t imagine life without this man.