Marriage Memoir by Ron and Crystal Meinstein

            It’s hard to believe, it’s almost April. As you know, if you have been reading previous blogs, Crystal and I are a couple of April Fools (married April 1^st). This year it will be forty-five years. My mother had a German saying, which meant ‘even sows don’t live that long’. I’m not sure what her experience was with pigs, but she did tend goats and her brother raised rabbits…soooo. She had a lot of old German sayings, which made no sense to me. But point taken, it is a long time.

            They say time is relative. I get it now. I still remember reading George Orwell’s “1984” in grade school and thinking, ‘Wow, that’s like way in the future’. Now I’m like, ‘wow that’s way long ago’. And who could have guessed “Big Brother” would be an actor (Ronny Reagan was president in 84).

            I also remember when my parents celebrated their 25^th anniversary. I would have been 18. Again, I thought wow, really long time with one person. I actually gave a toast at my parents at their 50^th Anniversary party. By that time Crystal and I would have been married 19 years. Still, I wondered if we would ever make such a lofty milestone. Now 50 seems right around the corner, God willing.

            But getting back to time, no one can predict the future. At least that’s what I used to think. I grew up as a big science fiction buff. So many things which seemed far in the future have already come to pass. Just take Star Trek as an example. Did you know that, originally when the doors in the enterprise opened and shut, it was because two men, one on each door pushed or pulled them. I sometimes think of that as I enter Walmart. Also, I now talk to my computer, and it talks back. It’s faster than the one on the Enterprise, and doesn’t feel the need to tell me it’s working. And Captain Kirk had to use a flip phone. What a dork. And he had to call the ship to use the computer. My phone is a computer.

            Now the beam me up, I’m sure their working on that. I can see it now; I’ll have finished shopping at the moon’s Super-Duper Walmart. I’ll call home. Beam me home Crystal. Of course, we probably fought before I left, and she would refuse. Then I will have to wait, with all the other husbands whose wives mooned them. It will mean something different by then. I’m sure the next space Uber will be along soon.

            Enough of that. The point is 45 years is a long time, and at the same time not so long. I totally get the saying, ‘the days go slowly but the years seem to fly by’. For so many years, we’ve done the heavy lifting. At least a dozen jobs, numerous impossible situations survived, a lot of joy, three daughters and eight grandchildren later, we are still here.

            But that’s not enough. After 45 years there must be some kind of lesson or wisdom I can pass on. Wisdom? Me? I know! Most of the time, going through it, I hadn’t a clue. But I’ll give it a try. Here are some rules for a long marriage. Disclaimer: Mostly learned by trial and Error

• I know that there are some things about Crystal I wish I could change. For example, she is creative (not the problem) and keeps a lot of stuff, saying someday I will use that. I’m more of a minimalist. However, there are more reasons I love her as much as ever. Crystal is the most, almost blindly, supportive person I know. She is, and always has been, my soft place to fall. Always try to focus on the good.
• No matter what was going on; this is where the sickness, health, poorer, etc. comes in, we made time for us. Throughout our marriage dating and planning together were a constant. Never stop making your marriage a priority.
• I don’t think it’s possible for two people to live together for a long period of time without fighting about something. Fights can drive even good people apart. However, being able to resolve differences builds a stronger relationship. The goal is to be partners, not adversaries. Learn how to fight fair and get help as needed.
• At our wedding someone read a quote about two great oak trees not being able to grow in each other’s shadow. In other words, in marriage there is no number one or number two. Always be supportive of your partner in achieving their dreams.
• Finally, always try to remember why you married in the first place. Normally, if your marriage has any chance, that answer is love. The Bible tells us how to love better than I can. In truth, I admit to having a few misses on this. But I believe these Bible instructions are about direction, not perfection.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

As Crystal and I await further instructions from God, we will do our best keep the love going. Please try to do the same in your lives. Blessings!

            Got your Holiday shopping done yet??? Nah, me neither. But that’s what it’s all about, you know. You can’t get those sugar plumbs dancing without all the expensive toys to go with them. At least that’s what they want you to believe. But it’s not just Christmas or holidays, it’s life in general. We are a very consumer driven society. Our TVs and phones constantly tell us what it takes to be happy in life. That includes a constant bombardment of new things, distractions, and pastimes. If you fail to get them, you can’t be happy, and are Failing at Life. That’s a lot of pressure.

What precedes the Bible verse in the title of this post is ‘The love of money’ (Timothy 6:10). While in itself, money is not evil, the love of it can cause big problems, even in marriage. On Divorse.com, Financial Problems is listed as the number one cause for divorce, narrowly beating out Infidelity and Adultery. I believe it’s a subject definitely worth talking about, on a blog site dedicated to marriage and family issues.

In some ways, the next two infidelity and adultery are also related. It’s all about unfulfilled wants and desires. But for this post we will stick with money, and in particular, the love of it. It will help if you don’t think of money as an end, it is only a means, or better yet a tool. You need tools to maintain and to build. First assess where you are at. What tools (financial resources) and skills do you currently possess. Then, you and your partner should decide what you want to build in the future. What do you have, and what will you need? Patience and planning are keys. Never borrow more tools than absolutely necessary to achieve goals. Debt is the devil’s playground, and a major source of unfulfillment in marriage. Life is unpredictable, so frequently reassess your plans. Also, there are many sources of additional sage advice on financial planning. Make it a lifelong goal, as a couple, to continue your education on personal finance.

That’s enough about the basics of money and planning. I believe a second source of money related discord in marriage results from, a failure to appreciate all with which we have been blessed. Too often I see couples living for a future, which might never come. They convince themselves they need certain things to be happy. They spend their lives so busy that they are unable to appreciate each other, or the gifts each day presents. I have told my daughters, ‘Money comes, and money goes, but time only comes once’.

After his experience living an isolated life at Waldon Pond, Thoreau said about life, “Simplify, simplify”. He realized that, to some extent, your wants dictate what you consider needs. I know this has proved true in our lives. When I worked at a pizza place, in between career jobs, I would bring home the outdated dough to make my own pizza and bread sticks. Crystal and the girls rarely complained. It was then we had more time to play, go on walks, engage in church and community activities, and in short, enjoy time as a couple and a family.

When I supervised a third shift crew at an industrial plant, ten-hour days, six to seven days a week, Crystal and I went every morning to the local coffee shop or the park to talk. After sleeping, I would spend time with the girls before going to work.

In all, I believe your happiness in life, and in your marriage, is determined by how you choose to spend your limited time, and not your bank account. Marriage is only beneficial when two people truly like/love each other, and are able to work together toward common goals.

All of the time remember…nobody is perfect…not even you (or me…man that was hard). What do you need in a lifelong partner? A quote I like, and will leave you with is, “You don’t need someone to complete you. You only need someone to accept you completely.” Author Unknown 

            OK I’ll admit it. It was me that the pastor used as an example last week. I’m the one who never buys Crystal candies for Valentine’s Day; at least not for the last 30 years or so. Furthermore, I rarely take her out on that day or other holidays. And yet, I’m pretty sure she still likes me.

            It’s bin a while since we talked about what makes marriage work. Being a chemist, I’d love to give you the formula. If I ever figure that out, I will gladly share…immediately after the patent clears (and for a reasonable donation). No, I don’t have the answers for you. I only know what works for us.

            Before you get the wrong idea, you should know that Crystal is perfectly fine with the way we celebrate. It will soon be February 15^th. That’s right the day after, the day. My plan is to get up bright and early and drive into town. That’s when I buy twice as much chocolate at half price.

            Crystal and I also go out fairly often; usually on week days. We just don’t like crowds. For us, there is nothing more annoying, and less romantic than being on a date, and having to yell across the table to your date. That happened often when we were dating, and early in our marriage.

            The point isn’t that we are smarter than others; we just have learned about each other over time. It’s not like we never disagree (reference the earlier blog “The great Boot Fight”), we resolve and move on.

            Also, we do celebrate on holidays, usually at home, with a nice meal. This Valentine’s Day, I bought Crystal a nice card, and a couple of top-quality cake pans. Great gift, right! Oh, did I forget to mention that, I first used them to make a really tasty, cherry filled, white cake, with homemade buttercream frosting.

            I think she liked the pans. She loved the cake. Communication is the key. That and extra butter. Hope you enjoyed your holiday as much as we did.

I love it that my daughters, and even son-in-laws on occasions, seek our council. It’s understandable. After all, we’ve been married since the dawn of time and must know it all…..NOT!!!! Even if we did, there are no short cuts. For the most part marriage is an acquired taste, and something requiring work and adaptation.

I get a kick out of hearing stories of how our daughters’ young, once perfect babies are going through new stages, and creating new parental opportunities. Or how young couples, as busy parents, don’t have time to communicate and wind up at the wrong place or at the wrong time. However, I won’t call out my kids today. I remember what it was like.

My loving wife had to be the most prepared person in the history of the world for marriage. She read a number of books, magazines and even took a class about marriage and the family. Somehow no matter what you know or think you know or have learned, until you’re there, you’re not there. The first time your spouse rolls over pulling most of the blanket off of you (not covered in marriage class), a pattern starts to develop.

Crystal is proud of her high school debating experience. However, it took a lot of experience and pain for her to realize that prolonged marital debating is counterproductive. Winning the debate must be second to supporting your marriage. At times there is no right or wrong there is just agreeing to disagree. This was a concept, which for us, required counseling and a lot of practice.

Often it is something simple. You stand in front of the refrigerator with your bowl of cereal in hand when you realize your spouse must have finished the milk. Oh! That’s what that word on the shopping list must have been. As a side note, evaporated milk just isn’t the same.

How about the argument you get into when your partner failed to change the kitty litter, and you step into the cat’s friendly reminder in your bare feet. The ensuing argument over whose turn it was could go on for days.

Of course children can bring things to a whole other level. The first time your daughter asks the second parent when she got the wrong answer from the first you realize it’s no longer just me against you. It’s us against them.

Yes marriages, even good ones like Crystal and mine, require practice and hard work (times Two). As I’ve stated before, in life, married or not, stuff happens. You and your spouse have different strengths and weaknesses. Neither is perfect or has all of the answers. Progress begins when you each admit your own imperfections. Communicate and learn to use both of your strengths; and work as a team toward common goals. God might add, remember the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). Your marriage is an excellent opportunity to develop those.

A recent visit to our Kentucky kids (Cincinnati in background)

Blog Alert: Our new cat Ella has decided to start contributing her own posts starting soon. Crystal will interpret for her. I am still learning new things about Crystal. I never knew she spoke cat.

Liz with Ella (as in Cinderella)

Like most married couples, Crystal and I have been through a lot in our marriage. Over forty years we have loved and laughed, fought and cried, raised kids, and done for family. Now that our nest is empty it’s just the two of us again.

Last week we went on a short but quite pleasant get away to Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. The old south came alive for us. Between the old world architecture, civil war statues, forts, and cemeteries with trees dripping with Spanish moss and ferns, it made me think of “Gone with the Wind”. The pace was also so pleasantly slow. And don’t get me started on the food. I’m afraid I’ll drool on my keyboard thinking about it. OK, just for one example, I had a blackened fish sandwich that was so mild and juicy it was difficult to eat. It was the catch of the day. Outside the restaurant was a small pier where the boat delivers the freshly caught fish and the table where they were cleaned. As we ate, we even caught a glimpse of some dolphins playing nearby.

We haven’t gone on many vacations lately so this was a special time for us. I couldn’t help but remember times early in our marriage. Our honeymoon in Arizona was Crystal’s first plane flight. On the other hand, I had flown numerous times, including three trips to Europe. It is common that people who only start using air transportation later in life suffer from fear of flying or Aerophobia. Crystal, on the other hand, had and has always had the far less common phobia for airports. O’Hare in Chicago, at the time the busiest airport in the world, was probably a bad first choice; with people everywhere darting to and fro in a multi-cultural mass of humanity. To make matters worse, at times I had to leave her. I placed her in a chair while I got tickets, checked luggage, got seating assignments, etc. She did as she was told though she resembled a deer in headlights. Once through the, at the time, far less stringent security, I got her a nice fruity drink. She finally calmed down for the flight. Of course, eventually we landed in Tucson. The drink had long since worn off and the terror returned. Again, I had to leave to get our rental car. I left her surrounded/ buried with our luggage. She looked like a nervous prairie dog looking out of her hole expecting to see a hawk. When I finally returned, I grabbed her hand and took her to the window. We had left an ice storm in Chicago. It was now eighty degrees and sunny. The cactuses were in bloom. She finally relaxed.

The point is that, regardless of her deep seeded fears, Crystal’s trust in me has always exceeded it. This trip, some forty years after that first one, we were in three airports each way with transfers in Atlanta. While the fear is still not totally gone, I can tell that if anything Crystal’s trust in me has grown. Even when temporarily lost, while looking for our hotel (another of Crystal’s fears) she was perfectly calm and confident. When I told her it would be alright, she believed me.

We both really relaxed and were at peace for a few days. Crystal was healthy and walking everywhere. Somehow I believe that this was God’s way of reminding us why we were together in the first place. Once all of life’s responsibilities and distractions are removed, and it’s just the two of us, everything makes sense.

From a marriage point of view the lesson, of course, is never stop taking time out to be just a couple. Whether it’s a nice vacation, a weekly date or a walk to the park, if you are not making an effort, you are missing out. I firmly believe that, if you are not growing together, you will grow apart.

Ahhh Savannah.

Today we celebrate the 100^th post to this web site. Hurrah!!! In all honesty, Crystal and I never thought we would find so much to talk about. The truth is, when you talk about marriage and family issues, the material never seems to run dry. Today, we will continue to discuss why on earth anyone, in this 21st century, would choose to get married. We live in a disposable society. Planned obsolescence is a way of life. That brand new I-phone that finally made it to Best Buys will be yesterday’s news by the time you get it home. I am driving my dad’s old car these days. One day, the windshield washer stopped working. I located the cheap plastic part that broke, and headed to the parts store. It was about the size of a dime and looked like it came out of a box of Cracker Jacks. “That will be $26,” said the man behind the counter. “$26?” I repeated, again looking in disbelief at the object of my affliction. Of course, the part was designed to have a limited life. A metal part would last the life of the car. But what would the fun be in that? Today, however it’s just the way we live. Don’t get used to anything. It won’t last.

Marriage is the same. I won’t be a hypocrite and say marriage is the right way, or the only way. I realize that today, this radical view would be met with substantial ridicule. I will also admit to not having all of the answers. I know a lot of really good people, including friends and family members, who have suffered through divorce. Marriage is a tough and risky commitment. Regardless of all of the rules and direction offered on this web site, there is no perfect formula to assure marital success. However, more information is always better. That is why I don’t intend to debate, but to inform. In this information age, people should make informed decisions; and believe it or not, there is a case to be made for marriage.

So why do people choose to get married? The rabbit died is no longer just cause; although, I doubt if any rabbits actually die as part of today’s pregnancy tests. Babies no longer require marriage. Single parents are everywhere. Many couples will attempt to stay together for the ‘sake of the child’. But that doesn’t make them a compatible couple. It’s can also become a little more awkward as the child grows. Some people in the world may judge you. There could also be legal or financial complexities. But the one problem I wouldn’t want to handle is, explaining to my child that, I would always be committed to him or her, but not to my partner.

Of course, we live in the freedom of choice age. That baby maybe never gets born in the first place…..That just makes me sad. I know that my parents tried for years to have me. My mother often referred to the day of my birth as one of the happiest of her life. It’s ironic that today, on the one hand, there are many couples who desperately want children. On the other hand, there are those who consider them another disposable commodity. You would think, if those couples got together, we could solve a lot of problems. But I digress.

We are focusing on marriage. But, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water (joke)….Sorry…..We may be on to something with freedom of choice. In this country, we do have so many freedoms that we often take them for granted. However, is freedom of choice always a good thing? I read just yesterday an article written by a woman who was proud of the fact that she had lived with the same man for eighteen years. She went on to say that they would choose each day to be with each other. She said it, like it was a good thing.

Maybe for her it was. I guess I’m a little different. To me making the same decision over and over just sounds stressful or even exhausting. I guess I’m just wired differently. I like to do my research, make an informed decision, and stick with it. Crystal is the same way. I guess that’s why we work.

I know some will question the above statement about the stress of cohabitation. While I can’t guarantee that stress is the reason, there is actually medical evidence to support the health benefits of marriage. There is actually a lot on the internet. Look it up for yourself. Web MD is a source I trust. They said “Dec. 15, 2004 — Marriage and health often go hand in hand, research shows. Except for weight problems, married people are healthier than those who are divorced, widowed, never-married, or live with a partner, says the CDC.”

Other articles have confirmed that even people who remarry after being widowed or divorced show improved mental and physical health than their counterparts who remain single. While there may be some health benefits to cohabitation they don’t appear nearly as strong (or well documented) as in marital relationships. Of course the quality of the marriage is also a factor. While I couldn’t find any information comparing the health of couples in “good” marriages to those in “bad” marriages, I don’t think the results would be a surprise. Prolonged emotional stress will eventually manifest itself physically. This once again proves the old adage ‘Happy wife, happy (and long) life’.

Lately, we have been spending a lot of time helping different family members. That leads me to one more point. You will have to decide whether or not it is a positive point for marriage. When you get married you forever bind families. For us, it was a positive. I couldn’t have hoped for better more supportive in-laws or extended family. I like being part of something larger than myself. Sometimes it takes time and energy, but it is usually fulfilling.

While I have strong Biblically based beliefs about marriage, they are personal and won’t be used in this blog. However, if it makes a difference to you, I can say with a great deal of assurance that God prefers marriage over cohabitation.

So that’s my case for marriage. I don’t expect it to change anyone’s mind. I just have one final thought and warning. If you are considering marriage, be absolutely certain about your readiness and your potential spouse. This blog has some good posts on choosing a spouse and preparing for marriage. The downside of marriage is the implied paradox. To have a successful marriage, two people have to agree to a lifelong commitment. If either of you don’t think of it that way, your marriage is doomed before it starts. This is nothing like other daily decisions. Marriage isn’t like your phone. You can’t just decide to switch when the next I-phone comes out; not even if it has the easily removable hot pink leather cover or all of those new aps. you’ve always wanted. In marriage, if a part breaks, you’re stuck with it, and better fix it, fast. Marriage is the institution where narcissism and self will go to die. To many, this concept just doesn’t make sense for today….or does it?

The other day, totally unprovoked, Crystal told me that I am always her hero. I’m not bragging (well maybe a little). It just helps with my final point. After 38 years of marriage, I haven’t seen my white horse for a while. I don’t do anything heroic on a daily basis. But I’m there for her. I’m still committed to her, care for and love her. The point is, a good marriage is worth the effort. I do a lot for Crystal and she does a lot for me. No one is keeping score. No one needs to. We are just better together than either one of us is apart. In the Bible it says, the two shall become one. Losing Crystal would be like losing a leg. We are one unit. I just don’t think a similar level of commitment can be made any other way. Is it worth it? We think so.

In a good marriage you can have your cake and eat it too!

The other day I was at a restaurant with dad and I talked to the waiter. Crystal or my daughters will tell you that I always talk to the waiters (well people in general). I can’t help it; I’m just interested in people. Somehow the topic turned around to the people in his life. He mentioned the woman he had been living with for the last three years. He sounded very pleased with her. ‘She sounds wonderful’, is what I believe I responded. I know better than to ask about marriage plans. I mentioned my wonderful wife of thirty-eight years. Dad was with me. I don’t think he could hear much of our conversation. I introduced them and the waiter took our order.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t frown on freedom of choice or other lifestyles. I just think the pendulum has swung a little too far. If you have a TV or live in the world, you know what I’m saying. These days a common response to ‘I’m getting married’ is ‘why?’  I would be the biggest hypocrite in the world if I said I didn’t understand the advantages of the trial run. Rent versus buy is one of the first things I learned to compare in my economics classes in college. Members of my family have lived with ‘significant others’. It is just the way of today.  Truthfully, I might have lived with Crystal before marriage, if she was a modern woman of the s1970s. Of course, if she had been that modern, I might not have wanted to make the commitment to spend my life with her. Commitment is a good word. We will get back to it.

The point is simple. Marriage has been on the decline for years. Success rate is only about 50%. Many of my best friends have been divorced. Divorce is painful, ugly and costly. Why take that chance. If you live with someone, in theory, you can simple wave goodbye and it’s over.

I’m sorry, maybe I am old fashion. I just don’t buy it. Our book is all about three couples who defied the odds and had successful marriages. I believe that even in the 21^st century there must be some positives to marrying the one you love. So, over the next couple of blogs we will do our best to oppose popular social morays and build a case for marriage.

Today we will talk a little about marriage’s popular alternative. Why do people choose to live together monogamously? I believe, for some, it represents a step toward marriage. Others believe it is a way to test the relationship; while still others may use it to postpone a commitment (there’s that word) they are not certain, they are willing to make.

One problem with cohabitation, as I see it, comes in when you and your significant other have different goals or levels of commitment (again). To one, the arrangement may represent a temporary end game. To the other, it may represent a never ending audition for marriage. In many cases, neither is being totally honest about their true feelings. Of course, they may not know themselves.

Next, if you go into a relationship wanting to make sure there is an easy out, it will most likely end in one. If marriage is the goal, note that statistically, the chances of the trial run leading to a successful marriage are lower than marriage without the trial run. A relationship founded on convenience and” maybe we do, maybe we don’t”, is not a basis for lasting love.

OK, that’s enough of my soap box for today. It’s time for a story. Crystal and I met in 1975 at a fifties party (that’s 1950s) at Bradley University. When the party was over, she went back to her dorm room and complained about me to her roommate. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight for either of us.

Our relationship wasn’t much different. It took a while for us to get serious. We were both dating other people. However, when we finally realized how well we worked together, we became inseparable. We studied together, went on walks, and even ate most of our meals together. It soon became obvious to us and all of our friends, we had something special.

We talked about someday getting married. When I say we talked, I mean we talked. We talked location, apartment vs. home, engagement period, and even number of kids. I said one. After all, I was an only child, and practically perfect in every way (yeah, I know, don’t call me Mary). She wanted four. I almost had a heart attack. Eventually, she won that debate. We had three. We probably would have had four if her baby making equipment hadn’t broken down.

Once in my mind, I was certain we were committed (again) to spending our lives together, I took the next step. My roommate at the time was George. He was a brilliant fellow Chemistry student. While I struggled with all of the concepts, he hung around with professors, and acted as if college was a mere formality of life. George was a true renaissance man. He not only knew chemistry, he knew a lot about many diverse subjects. He, however, had a bit of social awkwardness until he knew you well (picture Sheldon Cooper, but much friendlier and nicer). Naturally, George was the first one I went to when I started looking for a ring. He immediately started talking cut, facets, clarity. Do you know the origin of the term carat? He did and so did I at one point.

We went to the Hertzberg Jeweler at the new Peoria Mall. I looked at the rings trying to decide what Crystal would like, and I could afford. George talked to the Jeweler like he worked there.  We finally came across this beautiful white gold ring set with multiple small chips and a small but certified perfect main stone. Perfect, I thought, just like our love. Did I mention I was sappy back then? Anyway, I knew that was the one.

I plopped down what was easily three months wage at the government lab where I worked part time. Once we left, I started planning my strategy. Everything had to be perfect. I wanted Crystal to remember the moment for the rest of her life, and then some. When I first met her, I told her I was an optimist and a romantic. She was skeptical at the time. This was the time to put up or shut up.

Finally, it came to me. I had all of the questions answered. It was a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Classes were over. I suggested a nice walk in Laura Bradley Park. This beautiful forested hilly park was a block from campus. We walked there often so she would suspect nothing. We walked past the playground, past my favorite climbing tree, down the hill and past the tennis courts. We crossed the little foot bridge over the creek. We talked as we walked. A good part of the conversation was cleverly steered toward our future married lives together. I had to make sure Crystal was in. I was certain that rejection would prove terminal. Everything was go for Mission Proposal. We reached the predetermined spot. In the middle of a small grove with flowers (well pretty weeds) and trees next to the creek there was a large rock. I signaled Crystal over and gently hoisted her to sit on the rock. Back then I could do stuff like that (gentle hoisting). I assumed the position (one knee) and presented the ring. The reaction wasn’t quite what I expected. Crystal was definitely surprised. Actually shocked would be a better description. She did say yes. She smiled pleasantly as I put the ring on her finger. I took her back to her room, but was a little disappointed. I knew her pretty well by then. I thought to myself, she would have reacted with more enthusiasm if I had a chocolate in the case. Oh well, at least we were engaged. Cross that off my list.

The next day Crystal gave the ring back. Apparently, while she had every intention of marrying me, she couldn’t be engaged while we were at school. She couldn’t split her focus. I told her that the engagement didn’t change anything; but she didn’t see it that way. This should have been a clue to me. Crystal and I were vastly different people.

Around six months later (after graduation) I tried again. This time it was in a restaurant and slightly less romantic. I pushed the box across the table and told her this was her last chance. This time she gratefully accepted the ring. She was in.

There were a lot of things, a lot of differences, we learned about during our early years of marriage. Looking back I see where, at least in our case, many have become strengths. As far as handing the ring back, I now think I understand it a little better. Crystal realized something I didn’t. I saw marriage as our happily ever after. I now realize that only works in fairy tales. Crystal saw it for what it was. This would be the biggest single commitment in her life. It’s a far bigger commitment than buying a car or even a house. I told you I would get back to commitment. She went into it thinking, once done it cannot be undone. Marriage requires two people who are totally committed to making it work, for the rest of their lives. She was not willing to take that step until she could devote 100% of her focus to it. I think if more couples thought that way, there would be fewer divorces, and greater satisfaction in marriages.

Our next blog will be the 100^th on this web site since its inception. It’s party time!!!! Know that you are not alone. Some days over thirty people read our site. I think rather than sit here and pat ourselves on our backs.  Crystal and I see this as a statement of interest in the topic covered. The goal of our blog is to talk positively about marriage and family issues. If we can, at the same time, occasionally entertain with real life stories, so much the better. Thanks so much for your patronage.

Crystal’s Corner

I am glad that Ron has written this blog. I think that many couples are confused about living together and marriage and the differences between them.  I will give you a little history lesson now.  In the 1970s, following the crazy free love 1960s, more couples were living together.  We were not seeing happiness in their relationships.  We were seeing more of them crash and burn.  Even though women were becoming more career minded, educated and independent, when it came to men, they were wishy washy and insecure.

Many of my friends and coworkers were living with boyfriends who I thought would never marry them.  I was engaged right after college and working downtown Chicago.  I was one of the happiest people there, definitely “walking on sunshine”.  Ron was sweet, romantic and thoughtful.  We were very busy planning our wedding.  I knew he would marry me anywhere and anytime.  He wanted to be my husband and the father of my children.  I had that happiness growing in my heart which was bursting a lot of the time.  I would quote things that he said until my sister told me to stop it.  She didn’t think he was a great philosopher, but she knew that our love was strong and growing. I was also raised to value myself and to value the relationship I had with God and my family.  My parents had a strong loving fulfilling marriage.  We show this in our memoir.  My father was also very loving and supportive of his children. I was living at home and he was driving me to the train every day.  He thought I could wait awhile to marry Ron. He liked Ron, but I had been away for two years at school and he liked having me home again.  Also, my brother was going through a divorce.  My brother, however, liked Ron and could see how happy I was with him.

I had been asked before I met Ron by a boyfriend to come and live with him in another state.  I had turned him down.  He said, “So you are waiting for Mr. Right and a happily ever after.”  I told him that I was, but really I knew that God had a plan for my life.  When I met Ron at that 1950s party at school, God told me “This is your husband.”  It shocked me quite a bit, but can God be wrong?

When Ron proposed at the rock, I had no idea that it was going to happen.  We had had some problems during the summer and actually had broken up.  A big part of the problem was that we were apart and I was having a terrible summer and ended up in the hospital.  Now we had gotten back together and were on the right track.  I also was having the most difficult semester of my whole college career and I was running out of money.  I also had health problems.  I was putting everything I had into school and trying to graduate Summa Cum Laude.  He was having an easy semester and didn’t have financial problems.  I should have been honest with him about what was going on with me.  It is something we learned later.  He didn’t understand that when girls get engaged, everyone starts asking them questions.  I couldn’t plan a wedding and a future life and get through my hardest semester.

Even though I didn’t wear his ring, I still wanted very much to marry him.  This completely confused him and he was very upset for awhile.  I think he realized he had some things to learn about women.  But we stayed together and after he graduated in Jan. we became engaged.  I went back to school to fight my way through to graduation and he went home to find a job.  It was a difficult time for us to be apart, but our commitment and future plans kept us together.  I worked in the campus library, and my fellow workers knew, by my smile and by my step, when Ron was coming to visit.  They would console me on the weekends that I was alone.

Our memoir talks about our first date, our courtship, our wedding and more.  I am very glad that we wrote it all down for our girls and future generations to read.  I would have loved to read a memoir or diary or journal written by my great grandmother or my grandmothers.  They believed in marriage and sadly were widowed.  My grandmother Johnson, who was Irish, would say to my mom, “Isn’t love grand?” For Ron and me it is, in our marriage and our commitment to each other and to God.

Swans are a symbol of fidelity and everlasting love. Like us though, in real life, they are not always faithful.