50+ Lifestyles

“Love is patient, love is kind”

By David W. Deuth, CFSP
President, Weerts Funeral Home

These familiar words from I Corinthians often become the scriptural centerpiece of weddings. And while these words make a pleasing backdrop to the joyous ceremony of marriage, most married couples would agree that it’s far harder to live by those words than to merely hear them recited at the altar.

As Linda and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this month, I’m well aware that we, too, selected this scripture passage scripture for our wedding day. Even today, it couldn’t be a more fitting or relevant passage.

We were young pups when we married, to be sure, and quite certain that we were “old enough” to get married at the tender ages of 20 and 19. We’re now convinced – as parents of a 20 year old and an 18 year old – we were entirely too young.

But… “Love is patient. Love is kind.” And, we learned, it takes a good deal of commitment and hard work.

Our married life began on July 5, 1986 in a country church at Woodstock, Minnesota. Not everyone can say that they were married at Woodstock, mind you…but we can! Still in college at the time, a honeymoon trip was not in the cards for us. And we were fine with that. Although we worked hard during those college years to make ends meet, we had a blast, made good friends and created some great memories along the way.

The passage continues . . . “[Love] does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

It is only fair for me to admit that I informed Linda of my decision to become a funeral director after she agreed to marry me. The truth is, neither of us had any idea what I was getting us into; but I can say that I was certain she really loved me when she agreed to live in a funeral home for five years. To say that she has been “patient and kind” toward me and my career choice would be a colossal understatement. She’s been remarkably patient and undeservedly kind.

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

We really didn’t know how we would pay the rent when we got married. And although we knew we were in for an uphill climb, we trusted each other, worked hard and always persevered, because we knew that what we had was special . . . and well worth the effort.

Twenty five years and plenty of gray hairs later, we’re looking back at our wedding photos and reminiscing a little bit. Yes, we were young. We won’t deny that. But we were madly in love.
And still are.

Happy Anniversary, Linda.
I love you more.

Remember Well.