Today, as of this writing, dear Husband’s parents have been married 77 years. (!!!). They are now 96 and 97 years old and still a team. They spend their days in recliners side by side in a small assisted living apartment. They still love each other and look out for each other.

They grew up in the same poor, rural neighborhood in the depressed 1930’s when shoes were a luxury. They met when they were seven and eight years old. Just after that they had an encounter while fishing in a small creek. Jean got her hook caught on something in the creek and Jack came along just in time to help her, being taken with the pretty 7 year-old. But her borrowed rod was old and brittle bamboo and it snapped while Jack was trying to dislodge the hook. Feeling terrible about ruining her brother’s rod, he gave her all the fish he had already caught. When he went home he informed his mother that he had met the girl he was going to marry. As his mother later joked, “He was a confirmed bachelor until he met Jean at the age of eight!”A couple of years later, Jean burned her hand badly on some hot pipes at school. She was miserable and was having difficulty carrying her lunchbox and books. Once again, Jack stepped in to rescue. He carried her things home for her.  When Jack turned 13, he set off to live with his sister in a neighboring state. However, she soon moved and left Jack on his own. He got a job as a live-in caretaker for a man with epilepsy: cooking, washing, and maintaining the house while attending school.

At 18, he returned home, soon to renew a relationship with Jean. They dated on horseback. Jack would ride his horse to Jean’s house, she would get on, and they’d go for a ride together. In fact, the horse got so accustomed to going to Jean’s house that when Jack’s sibling was riding the horse, it turned abruptly into Jean’s house without being told!  Soon after, Jean’s older brother wanted to sell two acres of land that he owned. Jack jumped at the opportunity, purchasing it on time at the ripe age of 18. Within a few months, he had completely paid it off and had started acquiring building materials for a house. He got lumber from a barn he tore down. He laid a foundation with cinder blocks and began construction with advice from his soon-to-be father-in-law.

When the house was (almost) livable, they got married. It was a simple affair held in the community hall. Neither were yet church goers. The hall was decorated with lilacs and dogwood blossoms from Jean’s parents’ yard. Jean looked lovely in a white suit that could be worn later. Jack splurged on a suit and tie. The pastor was an hour late because of the Daylight Savings Time change. The pastor’s town didn’t use Daylight Savings Time, but their town did. Nevertheless, they were duly married with Jack’s brother as the best man and his wife, Jean’s cousin, as maid of honor. They honeymooned at the coast about two hours drive away.

About a year and a half later, their firstborn son arrived, my dear Husband. Their cozy little home was still not finished, but they made do. Jean was a careful housekeeper who diligently battled the coal dust from their heating stove. They got a hot water heater to wash diapers when Baby was 5 months old, but didn’t have an indoor toilet. Only fourteen months later their only daughter was born. Times were hard. But they had love and devotion and both worked hard to care for their little family.

Their last son was born 4 years later. Shortly before his birth, the young parents decided their children should be learning about the Bible. So Jean started taking their two young children to children’s Bible class (Sunday School) at the church that was meeting in the community hall. Initially, Jack stayed home. But soon Jack started joing his family at church. Shortly after their third child’s birth, both Jack and Jean made a decision that would change the course of their lives. Dear Husband can remember the Sunday they responded to the pastor’s invitation to trust Jesus to pay for their sins. They had put their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. From that time on they followed him wholeheartedly.

Although they were barely making ends meet with three young children, Jack committed to giving God a tenth of his salary. God has provided for them in beautiful ways all their years. As their young children watched, Jean started studying the Bible and soon was asked to help teach the children’s Bible classes which she continued to do until she was 85 years old! Jack helped with the children’s Summer Bible class (VBS) each year and was beloved by the kids. I met an adult man who still fondly remembered the activities he did as a kid at VBS with Jack. About 5 years after Jack and Jean gave their lives to Jesus, Jean’s parents trusted Jesus, too.

Dear Husband remembers that his parents were always ready when anyone in the community needed help. Jack was an skilled vegetable gardener and shared his produce if someone had need. Hospitality was a part of their lives. Jack always befriended the pastors, providing whatever they lacked. And the couple selflessly aided their four aging parents, sometimes taking an ailing parent into their home to provide care. Their children saw that their love and care for others reflected their deep commitment to God.

As each child grew up and pursued college and careers, they encouraged each in his/her own aptitudes. When each adult child married, they supported, but never interfered, or complained when two of them moved far away.

When retirement finally rolled around and both sets of parents had passed on, they moved across the state to start their new lives. There they once again began to serve God in their church and in their community. Jack provided firewood to the elderly. Jean taught children and young women the Bible. And, of course, hospitality.  Jack finally had time to fully pursue his favorite pastimes; fishing and hunting. To their delight, their youngest son had a house built on the small acreage nextdoor. So Jack and his youngest son spent happy hours in the outdoors together. Jean and Jack were the best grandparents to their son’s three girls. They also came alongside their daughter during health crises with her children even though they had to drive for two days to get there. They sent us letters and gifts across the ocean, and welcomed us home each furlough. Then they helped us buy a business to support ourselves when we returned permanently to the US.

A year and a half ago, Jean became very ill with pnuemonia and something similar to gout. She nearly died, but pulled through, albeit in a weakened state. No longer able to cook and clean, they moved to the closest city to an assisted living apartment. It was extremely difficult for two people who had happily lived their lives close to nature in the country to be cooped up in a tiny apartment with only buildings for a view.
A month ago, they moved to an assisted living apartment only seven minutes from our house. We are glad they are close enough now for us to be involved in their lives. They watch Bible teachers online and still read their Bibles every day. They pray for so many people daily. One time a close-since-childhood friend of dear Husband was telling him of someone who needed prayer. Dear Husband assured him that his mother was already praying for that person. He replied, “I’m not surprised. It’d be easier to list who she isn’t praying for than for who she is praying for!”
I’m so grateful for their godly influence on my dear Husband who has walked in their footsteps of loving God, each other, their family, and those around them.