It is safe to say that the structure of relationships has changed throughout the years. It is more common for people to "meet" on social media. It is more common to be "talking" to someone rather than be in an actual relationship with them. I know I lose hope pretty often when it comes to finding love. When that happens, I look to the story of my great-grandparents, John and Amilie McGary. Their story is the perfect example of what love is supposed to be like.
It was 1949 when they met. Amilie was walking home from school when John saw her. His co-workers were whistling at her when he stopped them by saying that "she was the woman he was going to marry." They didn't have cars or cell phones. They didn't dm each other on twitter or add each other on snap chat. Instead, John approached Amilie just like every man should when a woman catches their eye. From that day on, the love between them began to form. They went on dates to the movies and took walks at the park. They talked about their families, their friends and every thing there was to know about one another.
Time passed and their love grew, and then John asked Amilie to marry her. It didn't take long for the question to pop, but they knew their love was real and that was all that mattered. Of course Amilie said yes, but her mother was not so sure about the idea. Like any gentleman, John asked for permission to take Amilie's hand in marriage. Amilie's mother responded by saying that she was too young to get married so if they really wanted it to be done, they'd have to run off; that is exactly what they did. John and Amilie jumped in a bus, went to Kentucky and said their vows in a preacher's home with the preacher's wife and a neighbor as their witnesses on March 2, 1951.
Later came their first child, then a set of twins and then one more. Amilie was a mother of four at the age of 20 while John worked to support his family. I can only imagine how tough times were then. Money was short, but there was always a lasting supply of love.
Time passed and the McGary family grew. John and Amilie's first grandchild was born in 1974 and they kept coming until 1992. A total of 9 grandchildren were brought into the family and John and Amilie loved them more than words could describe. Their grandchildren spent lots of time at their Mamaw and Papaw's; it was their favorite place to be. Mamaw would cook the most amazing food, tell stories, teach them lessons and love them more and more each and every day. Papaw would bring them home snack cakes from work and rock his grandchildren in his chair.
In 1997, I came into the family. I'm the oldest of 14 great-grandchildren with one on the way. I found myself so incredibly blessed to have great-grandparents in my life, so I spent a huge part of my childhood at my Mamaw and Papaw Great's home just like my mom did growing up. I would go there after school, every Sunday for dinner, every holiday and many days in the summer. In all of those times, I don't remember a time I saw my Mamaw and Papaw argue. I find that to be so special. I remember them laughing and joking with one another, but I can't remember one argument.
As time passed and Mamaw got older, she lost her eye sight and became ill. She beat breast cancer and had two strokes which caused her life to change drastically. She didn't leave the house besides to go to the store or to go to church, and Papaw stayed right by her side. Mamaw would listen to the bible on C.D while Papaw would find something to get into around the house. They didn't ever need much besides each other, their Lord and their family.
In August of 2014, Mamaw was diagnosed with colon cancer and in October my family was told it had spread to her liver. My entire family was devastated. Mamaw had fought off so many types of sickness, but we all knew this one would be the last. Mamaw chose not to go through with treatment because she didn't want to spend the last part of her life ill and we all supported her decision.
Mamaw was told that she would live for six more months in October, but passed their expectations and made it to almost a year later when she went to be with the Lord on September 12, 2015. She fought a long battle and my Papaw never left her side. On the last night of her life he sat next to her with his hand in hers. He prayed over her, read bible verses and made sure she knew it was okay for her to let go. I had never seen anything so moving in my life. I knew they were in love, but in those last moments of Mamaw's life on earth I was shown the truest meaning of love.
Papaw was so torn apart when Mamaw passed. He had lost the love of his life, his soulmate and his other half. They were married for over 64 years. They shared their lives together and created a family based on faith, love and endless support for one another. Papaw never thought that him and the pretty girl he saw walking home from school would create something so special.
As I've gotten older, it's become clear that guys aren't always like those you see in movies or read about in a book. Things seem to be much more complicated these days which makes it hard to believe that love will ever come my way. When I get upset and think I'll never find a true gentleman, I think of the beautiful story of my Mamaw and Papaw. I think of how blessed I am to have such a perfect relationship to look up. Because of their relationship, I know how love is truly meant to be. My great-grandparents had a relationship based on faith, trust and an endless amount of love.
I am inspired by their story every single day and can only hope that someday I will find a love like John and Amilie McGary, the main characters of my favorite love story.
