Always Learning: The Notebook

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Notebook

My parents are in their eighties. They celebrate their 60th anniversary this June. They watched The Notebook together the other night. They hardly ever watch movies together. They were both crying at the end. My dad said that the movie reminded him of his relationship with my mom...

My parents married young. My mom knew he was a good man who loved Jesus. He worked hard and was preparing to be a doctor. He was an only child. She was one of seven. He was a loner. She loved a party. He loved his projects. She loved people. He saved money. She spent money.

They argued a lot while I was growing up. I even thought, at one point, they would get divorced. No, they were in it for life even though they didn't enjoy doing the same things or being together much.

My mom is the one who gave me Created To Be His Help Meet over eight years ago. She read it also. Their marriage improved. {It is never too late!} They are enjoying each other now. She is so glad they stuck it out. Growing old with someone that you have had children with and lived life with is a beautiful thing.

I am not sure I could compare their lives with those of the couple in The Notebook. Their love story wasn't so passionate, but I think they may end up the same....By each other's side supporting each other until the day that they die.

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 5:18

Comments (33)

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Tiffany · 685 weeks ago

Very sweet post, especially with Valentine's Day coming up. My 7th wedding anniversary is this Saturday....still just beginning in the long scheme of things. Your blog has really made me re think and make some new goals for my marriage. Thank you!

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Carlotta · 685 weeks ago

I'm glad their marriage improved. Sadly, that doesn't always happen with unhappy marriages. Sometimes people go to their graves, having spent their lives unhappily with someone they don't love.

Every couple is different, I guess.

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Michelle · 685 weeks ago

Now THAT'S a REAL love story! Thank you for sharing. Far too often people give up or just quit trying. I used to think there was one perfect person God created just for you. The longer I live the further I believe that is from the truth! Marriage is hard work! It takes a lot of effort and commitment to BUILD a happy, lasting relationship. My marriage has been through stuff that not a single person counseled me to stay, and many said to leave, but I knew that I had to give an answer to God for what I did, and so I stayed. It is so worth it. About nine years in things started to change and we both began to really grow in the Lord. I am so proud of the man my husband is today, and I pray often for God to make me a blessing to him. God is Good!

6 replies · active 685 weeks ago

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Joluise · 685 weeks ago

My parents feel in love 54 years ago and have shared every moment together since then (a wonderful marriage). My mother is turning 80 in July this year and my dad will be 78. Sadly my mother has just moved into a Nursing Home as she requires high care after a stroke 3 years ago. My dad has been a wonderful carer but he is no longer able too care for her, it is just to difficult.

Now my dad lives at home alone whilst my mum is at the Nursing Home. It has made them so sad to be separated - but due to my mothers medical requirements she needs 24/7 care which can't be provided at home. My dad will travel the 15 mins every day to sit with her for hours - I doubt he will ever miss a day.

We all do what we can to make dad's life as nice as possible, plenty of visits and phone calls, but nothing will replace his darling wife who can no longer live at home with him.

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Heather · 685 weeks ago

I changed a few words to fit my marriage:
...he was a good man who loved Jesus. He worked hard and was preparing to be an engineer. He was an only child. She was one of five. He was a loner. She loved a party. He loved his projects. She loved people. He saved money. She spent money.

Wow, I only had to change 2 words (dr and seven) to make it the perfect description of my husband and me. Thankfully we don't argue. We are, however, very different and that requires us to be very intentional about our relationship.

Your parents are a beautiful couple!!

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missionarymomma · 685 weeks ago

Ah. This post reminds me of something I read once. I can not rememeber the reference but the gist of it was that most couples who would rank their marriage at a 1 or 2 if they will stick it out within 5 years they will be at a 7-10. The reason for that is that sometimes it is outside stressors placing trouble in our marriages. If we wait often the stressors are gone and just that is enough to make a huge differnce.

Glad your parents stuck it out.

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AMY · 685 weeks ago

Both my parents and my in-laws have been married for almost 60 years. When I saw the Notebook, I thought of their marriages. What a beautiful movie and book. I love Nicholas Sparks!

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sehines 37p · 685 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing this sweet story. I found you from the blog hop at it's very cheri. I am your newest linky follower.

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

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sehines 37p · 685 weeks ago

I didn't see the linky followers tool on your sidebar...I'll be following along with Facebook. Adn I share you passion for sharing with other women about being wives and moms.

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

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Cheri · 685 weeks ago

Let me know once you have the linky up and I will come over and follow you. There was a glitch in the system but I have been told it has been fixed.

Cheri from Its So Very Cheri

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*megan_elzey* · 685 weeks ago

Such sweet sweet words. You speak my language, girl :) I am proof that marriages, no matter how bad or how good, require work, and that even though it hits a rough patch (mine hit a VERY rough patch, with a separation and an affair) it can be worked out and be made wonderful. My husband and I are now happier than ever and have learned how to really take care of each other. It requires work to go the distance, but it reaps so many blessings to so many people!

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peacelovenyarn 4p · 685 weeks ago

I am visiting from Katherines Corner and am so grateful I found your blog. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and for your wonderful blog. I know that I will learn a lot from you! I strive every day to be a better wife and mom and thank God for giving me people to teach and help me do it!

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Cheryl · 685 weeks ago

I don't think the length of a marriage means much--a person could be miserably married for 60 years and just be afraid to leave. It is the quality of the marriage that is important. I do know one thing--God does not want us to be miserable in an unhappy marriage, sapping all the energy we could be using for good, godly work.

1 reply · active 685 weeks ago

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lena · 685 weeks ago

Deo gratias!

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Anon · 685 weeks ago

How blessed you are to have four generations of your family to enjoy!

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Katherines Corner · 685 weeks ago

a beautiful post celebrating your parents love. xo thank you for linking up to the hop!

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Jennifer@GDWJ · 685 weeks ago

This is a fine example of what it means to persevere and stick it out. I 'm so glad you linked to the "I Do" writing project at The High Calling. You've offered a beautiful piece here.

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Penny · 685 weeks ago

What an example they are. Often couples forget that love is a choice. A choice you often have to make everyday...it isn't always easy.

By the way...I love The Notebook!

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momto8blog · 685 weeks ago

yes..growing old with someone you had children with is a beautiful thing!

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Rondell · 685 weeks ago

Please let me know too about the Linky follower in a comment on my blog, ok?
Sweet post about your mom and dad, I think it is their generation, my parents stayed together too because divorce just wasn't what you did back then.

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Tricia · 685 weeks ago

That's really super sweet. What a great post about them. Visiting from Simple Things.

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justinecaraway 32p · 685 weeks ago

Stopping by from the Linky Follower Party Hop!

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Rose FineCraftGuild · 684 weeks ago

oh what a darling story..!!

I actually came to your site from the FOLLOWERS LINKY blog hop, and ** I am following you. ** Will you follow me back? Thank you so much when you do.

There is also a party on our blog today, where you can feature 'your best creative work'.

Use this link to do both: http://www.FineCraftGuild.com/party/
Have a happy day! Hope to seeing you around!

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Lori · 683 weeks ago

Glad I found you on the Linky hop...I'm following with GFC and LF. I would love if you stopped by and followed back, so we can stay connected. Lori

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Mrs.B · 683 weeks ago

VERY sweet! I love that they watched the Notebook together. I just read Created to be His Help Meet a little over a year ago. What a book. I actually have read more than once just because it was SO FAR from what I was raised to think like. The world sure has a different way of teaching girls to become women.

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