Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Ribbons in the Sky for Our Love

It’s quite possible that our generation of Baby Boomers will be the last of its kind to celebrate 50+ years of life together with our partners. Aka… spouses…husbands and wives.

There are many love songs that have stood the test of time to commemorate and acknowledge the commitment that long term spouses have achieved. Stevie Wonder wrote the song that we’ve personally loved for many years… “Ribbons in the Sky for our Love”. I just listened to the words again and that became the inspiration for this piece today as June arrives at our doorstep in just a few days.

I’m not discounting any other couples out there who are well on their way to adding up many years of wedded bliss.

But I am definitely cheering on those who have gotten through to the point of half a century together.

In our case, we choose to marry soon after college in our early twenties. My Dad might’ve preferred that we not rush into a marriage until we had first established our lives in our prospective businesses.…but that was how it was. Perhaps it was the realization that his role was concluding as my life was beginning in another way. 

I’m only just figuring this part of my story out now in my 70’s.

However, nothing would've cast a shadow on the glory of walking across the stage to accept my college diploma even though my Dad chose to stay home that day.

My soon to be spouse was in attendance and apparently that’s all that I needed to be that witness to this new chapter that was beginning for “us”.

One week later, my Dad walked me down the aisle and gave my hand to my husband and the life we couldn’t even have imagined was about to begin.

It was a glorious day in June of 1971. Most women in my generation back then were drawn by the lure of  the incredibly blue skies and the warmth from the sunshine as June brides. 

We hired a professional photographer who charged way too much but hey, that’s how things were done back in the day…and in truth, thank goodness we chose to immortalize our ceremony in a beautiful leather bound album. 

It’s hard to recall now each of the details at this point. The ones that stood out related to the simplicity of our honeymoon at a resort in the Poconos.

Getting back to life after our mini vacation meant figuring out things that we never had to do before our marriage like opening up bank accounts and grocery shopping together.

Those were the very first agreed upon decisions that we made soon after our lives began as a married couple.

There were many days when we’d just focus on which of our individual strengths would be tapped into to decide on the next important “thing “ that we had to do to be a successful couple, like purchasing a new car and then building our first home.

These are the things that contributed to the relationship that even now, we still are a part of  quite successfully.

We’re now in our mid 70’s. Hard to believe. I know that we definitely are living a very simple life, again, trusting each other to make good decisions…in part either together or depending on who’s expertise still is  the sharpest. We allow each of us to exist within the boundaries of total grace, love and kindness.

Some days we enjoy quiet walks of reflection. We’re often embraced by the blue skies overhead and the soft streams of fluffy clouds which belie a simplicity that we are still grateful for. Those ribbons in the sky for our love will forever be the reminders of our lives being well worth choosing to be together early in our youth and sustained through to now and with unyielding love.. and beyond.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist who lives with her husband of 53 years and their pup, Lily, in Greene County, NY. 

Have a love story to share…feel free to contact  Pat at 518-275-8686.