I’d never thought of our story as being like a Hallmark romance movie until Brian mentioned it to me just over a year ago. Once he explained his reasoning, I understood why I’m such a fan of these movies.
It may seem like the plots are predictable and the couple falls in love too quickly. To me, they are a reflection of my love story with Brian.
I was eighteen when Brian first caught my attention. I was working as a hostess/cashier at Smitty’s Pancake House in a new shopping centre. Brian was managing a lighting store in the mall. He came into the restaurant daily and our easy bantering soon turned into flirting. He had an amazing Scottish accent and I loved to hear him speak!
One day we talked about being tired of the same old food on the menu and I mentioned Chinese food. He asked what time I got off work. I spent the rest of my shift in anticipation. When I was closed up the restaurant that night, he was no where to be seen. I waited a bit and then offered to drive a couple of the restaurant cooks home. Maybe I misunderstood and he hadn’t really asked me out.
I found out later, he’d gone back to his hotel to change clothes and raced back just in time to see me drive off with a couple of other guys. Not the best impression to make!
He avoided me for a week or two until I went into his store to buy something I didn’t need, just so I could talk to him. A few days later, Brian asked me out again. Due to a family commitment, I couldn’t accept. I thought I’d really blown it this time.
Meanwhile, I left my job in the restaurant and went to work in the Hallmark Card store in the mall. I was smart enough to let him know where I was going so he’d be able to find me if he wanted to.
One day he showed up in the store and asked me out again. When I said, “Yes” he told me that it was his birthday and he’d been prepared to use that to convince me to agree!
Our first date was a few days later. After that, I started dreaming of our life together. A couple of weeks later Brian had to go out of town to prepare another store for opening. We relied on nightly phone calls and weekend visits eased the time apart. We also mailed each other Hallmark cards every day!
Ten weeks after our first date we were engaged. Four months later we were married. I had just turned nineteen.
Our happily ever after lasted for 52 years. Through good times and bad, joys and sorrows, adventures and challenges, our constant was laughter (Brian had an incredible sense of humour) and deep love.
Our first date was days after Brian’s 25th birthday. Our last date, was two days after he turned 77. I was by his side and able to tell him how much he was loved before he quietly slipped away.
Today would have been our 52nd anniversary. It seemed the perfect time to reminisce about our Hallmark love story. We never get to see how the ones in the movies turned out, but mine stood the test of time. The legacy of love Brian left behind will live in my heart forever.
Older people are often referred to as being in their sunset years. I’ve heard the term many times but somehow this now strikes me as a beautiful metaphor for the time of life I’m in. I don’t always think of myself as older, but I do fit the description!