February 14, 2009

A Tale of Two Hearts

On a Valentine’s Day long, long ago (‘70’s) in the "city that care forgot" (New Orleans, Louisiana), boy and girl (Steve and Janie) had their first conversation in a parking lot at Charity Hospital. They went to a Mardi Gras parade for a first date, and Steve caught an entire bag of beads -- an auspicious omen, don’t you think?

They found that they had much in common. They had read many of the same books, enjoyed asking questions, seeking answers and exploring all things natural.

They liked to hike and ride horses, and generally be outdoors. They were in accord on most facets of life.
And so they hung out together, and eventually married.
Early on, they fell in love with the mountains.

Three kids and 17 years later, the whole family moved to Utah, where the clan had many seasons of fun hiking over hills and desert and through the wildflowers.
The kids grew up. They celebrated weddings and the birth of three grandchildren.

Janie and Steve have a life to themselves again, boy and girl. (A little wrinkled and ragged around the edges but inside, they haven’t changed too much.) They are still talking, satisfying curiosity, riding, hiking, exploring.
And they hope to do so for many Valentine days to come.

20 comments:

  1. Awww.. cute post. You guys have set such a great example for us kids to follow in our marriages. :)

    I hope you've weaned yourself off of your Neer Neer addiction.

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  2. Now that was a cute post for the Valentine Day spirit. You looked sooooooooo Young

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  3. Great final photo of crossing the river: it ties together the story, and the metaphorical meaning of "crossing a river" and "don't turn a horse back halfway across the river" adds more layers. And by the way, that a great story. My wife and I are 7 years down the path, but no horses. Although our youngest son loves horses ...

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  4. that is a beautiful love story!
    perfect for valentine's day!

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  5. that is a beautiful love story!
    perfect for valentine's day!

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  6. What a great story, and lovely pictures too! :)

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  7. I would say this is a perfect love story for Valentine Day.
    Thanks for visiting my site.

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  8. Oh Janie, You are just a Cutie Patutie!!!! You look like you are 20--even after raising your children.

    Love your love story. You two amaze me. I'm sure if George and I had have met sooner, we would be living somewhere out in the world -like you all. Being out in nature is the ultimate of ultimates, isn't it???? Wow...

    Did either of you live in New Orleans--or just there for Mardi Gras? Are your children all living near you in Utah now????

    Thanks for sharing.. You have had such a wonderful life--with many more years ahead of you I'm sure!!!!!

    Love that waterfall. Where is it???
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  9. Oh gosh..what a beautiful tribute to your marriage..Michelle

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  10. this is such a loving post, and so ood to see that some mariages do last. we have nearly 34 years too.

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  11. Betsy,
    The waterfall is on Roaring Branch in the Arkansas Ozarks. And yes, we both lived in New Orleans at the time. It was a great place to be young and dating.
    Robert, I love your analysis of my river crossing. Wish I'd thought of it! :)

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  12. What a great Valentine story! My husband is a retired internist and I'm a retired RN. We love hiking, the mountains, and waterfalls here in western North Carolina.

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  13. Oh, that was beautiful!

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  14. What a lovely story.
    Happily ever after to you both.

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  15. Gosh what a beautiful couple you are and were..this was such a lovely story for Valentine's Day. (I met my husband way back in the 70's and it feels like it was just yesterday)

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  16. Good on you Janie and Steve and many, many more to come. This year the vegetable gardener and I are married 49 years!

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  17. What a heartwarming post and a beautiful love story.

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  18. What a wonderful love story!

    Thanks for your visit to Jerusalem Hills which led me to your lovely blog. Sounds like you've found the good life.

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  19. How romantic!!Happy family!! Thank you for sharing your story before Valentaine's day,

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