Fairytales can come true.

It can happen to you

If you’re young at heart…

When I was eight years old my favorite stories were fairytales and I really and truly believed that they were real. My beliefs were reinforced when I attended my first wedding. My eldest cousin, Leonard, was marrying a beautiful young woman named, Jeanne. The two of them seemed as close to being a prince and princess as any couple that I had ever seen. 

 I didn’t know Leonard as well as my other cousins. He was a good ten years older than I was and of course didn’t hang out with us younger ones. I was in awe of this handsome teenager to whom I was related. I worshiped him from afar and my esteem for him only increased when he introduced his lovely girlfriend. My aunts told me that Jeanne had been a popular cheerleader and beauty queen at her high school. I never knew if what they had told me was true but she certainly fit my impression of the kind of young woman who would have been revered by her classmates. The best thing about both Leonard and Jeanne is that they were always so kind and friendly to everyone. They were gorgeous and talented people who were simoly down to earth. 

On the day of their wedding I mostly enjoyed the food which consisted of cake, punch and coffee and playing chase with my other cousins but I also would never forget how stunning they both were. I felt honored that they had invited me to come. It was a grand affair in my estimation and I would remember that celebration forever. I would also decide to model my own life after theirs because they seemed to have it all. I continue to believe that they have somehow found the secret to keeping magic in their lives.

Leonard and Jeanne immediately began building a family. Eventually they would have four children, two girls and two boys. They were amazing parents who found the energy and wisdom to encourage each of their kids to follow his or her individual dreams. There were times when they helped raised cows and others when they attended football games and watched the band perform at halftime. They were the kind of parents who were very engaged with their children and if they were to be graded on their how their little ones turned out I have little doubt that they would earn an A+. 

As the years went by Leonard and Jeanne remained faithful to each other and to our huge extended family as well. They attended virtually every graduation, wedding, and celebration that anybody held. We always knew that we could depend on those two to take the time out of their very busy lives to honor the family member of the hour. Even as I too became an adult I continued to find myself wanting to be like them.

Before long Leonard and Jeanne’s little babies had grown and began families of their own. The numbers of their grandchildren and great grandchildren grew and grew and grew until the family numbered thirty. Through it all that incredible couple laughed and made every occasion fun. I often wondered how they were able to remember the names of all of their adorable descendants. I knew that when they all gathered together it was a raucous and loving affair where every single person felt special. 

Mike and I pride ourselves in having kept our love alive for forty seven years but we are almost slackers compared to Leonard and Jeanne. Sometimes at family weddings a disc jockey will ask all of the married couples to hit the dance floor. Slowly he thins out the crowd by indicating that only those who have been together for ten years may remain. Then he does the same for twenty years, thirty years and more. There have been a couple of times when Leonard and Jeannie and Mike and I have been the last two remaining mates dancing away. Of course I always know that we are about to lose the competition. In fact, we do not come even close to the record of my fabulous cousins! 

This week Leonard and Jeanne celebrated their fifty ninth anniversary! In a world where marriage seems to be old fashioned and in a bit of trouble, it’s quite remarkable to know that it is indeed possible for two people to be love and enjoy one another for almost six decades. In fact, I suspect that the feelings that Leonard and Jeannie have for one another have actually grown more precious over time. They literally fit together like salt and pepper, yin and yang. 

They still believe in enjoying life to the utmost. They love to dance and they do it so well. They are involved in the planning of the Galveston Mardi Gras each year. They lead active lives visiting children and grandchildren and many, many friends, some of whom they have known since they were teenagers. They even regularly care for Leonard’s ninety five year old mother and drive her to family events. 

They are two very unselfish individuals who are bursting with optimism. They are kind and caring and think to visit our aging aunts when the rest of us get busy with our lives and forget how important it is to do such things. Most of all they are so young at heart. Few people would ever guess their ages. They are both as beautiful as they were fifty nine years ago. I suspect that living such good lives has contributed greatly to their well being. 

I can’t help but feel that I chose two great people as exemplars way back when I was a child. I am as much in awe of them today as I was back then, probably even more. Now I sit and talk with them rather than playing chase whenever the family gets together. I still want to be just like them when I finally grow up! 

Leonard and Jeanne should write a book on building a strong marriage and family. I haven’t seen many people who have done it as well as they have. I know that all of my cousins would agree. Leonard was the first of my grandparents’ grandchildren. He has led all of us so well. He became even better when he chose such an outstanding partner. We literally thank the good Lord often that Leonard is now the male head of our extended family and that Jeannie is always by his side. 

The fairytale of Leonard and Jeanne really did come true and their influence will impact the world for decades to come. Happy Anniversary, you two! You are the best!