Sometimes, we are lucky enough to have role models that instill a deep sense of value in our lives. They inspire and ignite us to live life in a way we’re often too scared or too busy or too tired to do. I have been incredibly fortunate to come from a long line of love.
My grandparents had an epic love story. She was 19 when they got married, but she lied, adding years onto her age out of fear that she was too young for the 25-year-old man she was about to wed. My grandfather would only laugh later, shaking his head saying of course he knew how young she was, but it wouldn’t have changed a thing. My grandparents were inseparable, always supporting and taking care of each other. They were exciting, inviting and warm. Their incredible love for each other spilled out to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
My grandma passed away two weeks ago. She died on September 23, exactly 10 years to the day that my grandfather, her husband of 59 years, passed. There was not a day that went by when my grandmother did not think of him or miss him with everything she had. Knowing that they are finally reunited has given my entire family some peace. It has also given me the opportunity to think about the incredible example they set and to reflect upon some of love’s greatest qualities.
1. The best kind of love is generous.
My grandparents were two of the most generous people I’ve ever met. Whether it was always having the doors of their home open and catering to the many guests they often attracted or going out to buy the grandkids the Cocoa Krispies that mom and dad wouldn’t let us eat, they gave everything to the people they loved around them. I think that in their incredible love for each other, they felt grounded in profound selflessness that allowed them to be everything everyone else needed.
2. Love is hard work.
These two people loved like nothing I’ve ever seen, but 59 years together surely couldn’t have been easy. To be completely honest, the idea of spending 59 years with someone terrifies me. How could you not eventually go crazy over the mail left out on the counter or the dishes never ending up in the right cabinets? My grandparents never made their love seem like hard work; to them, every low came with a high and even in those lows they saw the wonderful opportunity to experience these parts of life with each other.
3. Love that strong is a defining characteristic.
My grandparents were truly seen as a unit, and not in a way that one overshadowed the other or that they weren’t their own individuals. Rather, they were truly stronger and happier together than when they were apart. In sharing memories and stories over the last couple of days, the one thing everyone just keeps coming back to is the two of them, Walt and Dot, and their love for each other. They were magnetic. When your love runs that deep and that true, I think it is impossible to see someone outside of the context of this inspiring feeling.
4. The best kind of love is adventurous.
My grandpa was always one to live life to the fullest and my grandmother could often be a bit more cautious. But I think they found this wonderful safety and comfort in each other that enabled them to live boldly and fully. They traveled, always bringing back exciting goodies from their cruises and other trips. They took advantage of what life had to offer and it was thrilling to see.
5. Good love laughs often.
There isn’t a picture of my grandfather that you could find where he doesn’t have a smile on his face and a twinkle of laughter in his eyes. He was always cracking jokes and keeping things light. My grandfather always made my grandmother laugh – the good kind of eyes squeezing, stomach hurting laughter. Their love made them happy, and with that, they chose to find the joy in moments big and small.
I can only hope to find a love like they shared some time in my life. I feel so incredibly grateful to have been witness to one of the greatest romances. To my grandparents, thank you for the inspiring love you shared and for the all-encompassing love you always gave to me. I miss you both but feel so much better knowing that you’re finally back together again.