A LOVE STORY

Introduction: On October 9, 2009, my parents will be married 65 years. Both are still together and still in love. What a blessing for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren..Here is a story as an homage to these two beautiful examples of true love:

Once upon a time, Raymond and Edna gave birth to their last baby, a beautiful boy named David on March 30, 1925. He was so beautiful with hair so light it shone like the sun and eyes so blue that the sky could not compete. When he was two years old, the Lord prepared for him the love of his life when Carlyle and Beatrice gave birth to their baby girl, Dorothy on March 3, 1927. Her hair was as dark as night and her eyes brown as mahogany. It was inevitable that one day they would meet and fall in love.

Many years passed as the two grew into their teenage years. One day, David met Dorothy and fell in love. Dorothy was tall and beautiful with flashing brown eyes and long dark curls. David was tall and handsome with smile like a summer’s day – his blue eyes laughing and full of joy.

These two dreamers fell in love. Dorothy found the young man of her dreams in the tall lanky David and they ran away to be married at the First Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland on October 9, 1944. David was 19 years old and Dorothy was 17. World War 11 was raging and David joined the marines. The two lovebirds traveled around the US together linking a bond that could never be broken. When the war ended, the two young lovers came back to Virginia to settle down and begin to think about life outside of the military.

David found work with a car mechanic and Dorothy worked in an office. The two followed their belief in God and listened to His words…“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”~Psalm 32:8. Their love and trust in their Lord refreshed and renewed them through trials and struggles.

One day, Dorothy and David found that they were going to have a baby. A beautiful little girl was born on Dorothy’s 21^st birthday, March 3, 1948. They named this little one Linda. Her dark hair and eyes were just like her mother’s.

Linda was a busy baby, not much of a sleeper and the two young parents found parenthood challenging and yet rewarding.

It was not too long after Linda came into their lives that they wanted to give their new daughter a companion. Two and a half years later, another daughter, Martha was born on July 25, 1950.  Martha was fair like her daddy, all blond hair and blue eyes.

Unfortunately, David had been very ill during the year before Martha was born. He had infectious rheumatoid arthritis and life was a huge struggle for the young family. Dorothy wondered if David would be able to share in raising her two little daughters. However, the couples depended upon God and listened when they heard these words as they read their Bible together… “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” ~Matthew 6:32-34

David finally recovered from his illness and went on to become a construction worker when they moved their family to Maryland. Dorothy stayed at home raising her daughters and one day discovered she was going to be a mother once again. On October the 15^th, 1955, in Silver Spring, Maryland, Patricia joined the family and David was again blessed with another daughter. This little girl had big brown eyes like her mother and blond hair like her daddy. The two older girls were delighted to have a baby to share their lives and took this little one on many adventures.

As the family moved from one home to another in Maryland, they were again blessed with another child. Nancy Ellen was born on March 2, 1960 in Rockville Maryland. She, too, had blond hair and brown eyes like Patti. The next day, Linda turned 13. Now David was surrounded by girls, four daughters and a beautiful wife all adored this kind, handsome man. Could anyone ask for a more beautiful family? Several years passed and the girls were growing and going off in several directions, Linda in high school, Martha in middle school, Patti and Nancy in elementary school when the announcement came forth…

A new baby was expected by the aging parents…would they finally get a boy? On June 14, 1965, Dorothy went to the hospital to deliver another baby girl. Betsy Jo joined the harem of women in the Wood household. She was all pink and lovely…a small replica of Martha Ann…blond and blue eyed with a smile like sunshine. She came down one morning when she was three and asked her mother, “Shall we have a good day or a bad day?”

Dorothy wondered, “Do I really have a choice?”

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” ~Proverbs 31:28

Life with five girls was interesting and challenging. This family was close and loving. It was difficult to imagine what life would be like with additional members coming in through marriages and yet, it was bound to happen. As the years passed, the girls married, divorced, remarried and spouses for some came and went. But today, the girls have wonderful families, happy children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

David and Dorothy continue to live happily ever after. Life has been kind and kept them happy, in love and a joy for their children, their grandchildren and now their great grandchildren.

Time has been kind, Dorothy’s dark tresses has turned to white, David’s blond hair has thinned and grayed. Their bodies have become more frail and life more fragile. However, their love has grown and flourished and the time they have together is precious and cherished. Through Good times and Bad, they have persevered and run the good race…