Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Secret to Happiness

Nineteen years ago today, I went on one of the worst blind dates ever. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but I swore at the end of it I would never go out with that guy again.

Of course, I wound up marrying that guy. (Moral of the story: Don't judge a person by the first date.)

Jump to this morning at the gym, where I spied an older man working out across from me who was wearing a sweatshirt with the words "Yes, dear." on it. I couldn't help but smile. The man saw me smiling and shouted "I've been married 65 years!" and gave me a big smile. I then asked, "So, did your wife give you that sweatshirt?" And he replied, "No, the kids did, for our anniversary."

A few minutes later, as I was lifting (or rather pulling) weights a little ways away, the man walked over to me and said "You keep that up young lady and you'll look as good as I do at 89!"

While clearly no spring chicken, this man in no way looked 89 years old -- more like 89 years young. So I asked him, "What's your secret?" His immediate reply: "The love of a good woman."

I then told him that I had met my husband 19 years ago today, and he beamed at me and said "Good for you! He's a lucky man."

Yes, he is.

Btw, that picture in the upper right-hand corner? It's called "The Secret to Happiness Sweatshirt."

Wishing all of you happiness, this holiday season and beyond.
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6 comments:

  1. AndersonDecember 16, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    Well...aren't WE the happy little bluebird today.

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  2. AnonymousDecember 16, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time"
    James Taylor

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  3. AnonymousDecember 16, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    Picking up older married men in gym??? Now J-not the way to STAY married!!

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  4. KendorDecember 16, 2009 at 12:37 PM

    As she tells it Date 2 was much much better. I don't remember Date 1 being that bad (otherwise I'm thinking there wouldn't have been a Date 2), but guys are clueless (which is something I've learned over the years)... While "Yes Dear,"definitely factors into the equation, I think the key to success is laughter... we still make each other laugh (a lot)... and of course food (which I purportedly don't provide enough of).

    P.S. and reading her blog, and occasionally commenting

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  5. EMMDecember 16, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    What a lovely story! Congrats...I need to take your advice and not judge first dates so harsly.

    Mazel tov!

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  6. J.December 16, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    @Kendor, You don't feed me enough. :-)

    @Anderson, Any chance you are Anderson Cooper? :-)

    @Anonymous #2, He picked me up!

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