Two Late Blooms

 

Hubby has known Ed all of his life.  They grew up in the same grade school and church, and attended the same high school.   

Ed and I were in the same class in the high school and worked for (and are retired from) the same truck manufacturer. 

We all still go to the same church in which he and Hubby grew up, but it’s a large church, so we don’t necessarily run into him regularly.  But usually we chat a little when we see him. 

So, it’s one of those relationships where we’ve known him forever, but don’t know much about what goes on in his life.

Ed has never married.  I think I remember seeing him with dates at different things during the years, but never anyone serious.  He and one of my divorced friends spent quite a bit of time dancing at one of our class reunions, but nothing came of that.

So, imagine my surprise when I found out yesterday that Ed is getting married next month!  Since we were in the same class in school, I assume he is my age — 61. 

The same person who told me about the upcoming marriage, said that the bride has never been married before either, and is about our age too.

I can’t remember the last time that I have been this thrilled to hear of an upcoming marriage.  Ed is a nice man.  Articulate.  Well-read.  Always nicely dressed and well-groomed.  Not movie star good-looking, but nice looking.

Just personal speculation, here.  But, Ed’s Mom was widowed while raising him and his older brother, so when he became an adult, his brother had married and moved away, and Ed continued to live at home and took care of his mother.  So, while others in our age group were socializing and meeting future mates, he had responsibilities that girls he dated may not have been able to relate to in their young minds.

Anyway, for whatever reason that he never married — he’s going to do it now! And, I for one, am absolutely THRILLED for him.  I hope that this is the match of the century, and they have many happy healthy years together.

In case you’re thinking, “Can this possibly be a marriage that can work?”  Let me tell you, I’ve seen another example that is similar that gives me great hope for them.

Some dear friends of ours married when he was 45 and she was 42.  Neither had been married before.   That was 20 years ago, and that is one of the happiest marriages I know of.

So, I have great optimism that this one will be wonderful too.

May God bless Ed and his wife with wonderful years of married life.