The picture above was taken on April 21, 2001. We were at one of our favorite places, Fall Creek Falls State Park. This was our fourth date in three weeks. BUT--we knew by this day that we loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Fall Creek Falls is very special to us and we have returned many times since 2001. That is also where our love of waterfalls began. If you haven't read 'my story' about how George and I met, click HERE and then HERE. It is a wonderful story if you haven't read it yet.
This was at our wedding on June 23, 2001. We got married outside beside the river in Knoxville, Tennessee with only family in attendance. We had a gorgeous wedding and if you want to see more pictures from our wedding, click HERE.
Secondly, I am thinking today about my youngest son. He and his lady-love will soon be engaged, and hope to be married sometime this Fall. SO---Jeff is on my mind as I discuss Valentine's Day today. I'm not an expert when it comes to love and marriage ---but I certainly have gotten it right this time and just want to share a few things that may help Jeff and Dawn as they start their lives together.
Here are some things which every marriage should consist of:
-Make personal and date time for each other, no matter how busy you are;
-Communicate with each other CONSTANTLY; Communication also consists of LISTENING to each other;
-Be aware of each other's feelings;
-Be yourself ---and accept each other as you are;
-Celebrate the good things about each other;
-Be understanding;
-Show affection to each other ALOT;
-Have fun together --with lots of laughing!! Enjoy life; it's too short not to!!!!
-Never go to bed mad... Work it out!!!
-Problems will occur; Work them out; Do NOT ignore them!
-Show your love in little ways, as well as the big ways;
-Keep that 'spark' alive ---even years after you have been married;
-Marriage takes work ----so work at it all of the time;
-Other than God, put your spouse FIRST in your life;
-Work out touchy issues (like religion, finances, politics, etc.) BEFORE marriage;
- Marriage is not 50-50; It's 100-100... Help each other as much as possible.
-Find things which you enjoy doing together, and do more of them.
-Keep God at the center of your lives together.
Speaking of showing love in special ways, above is a picture of my Valentine present from my sweet hubby. He knows how much I love both my backyard birds and windchimes... SO--he got me a new bamboo windchime which includes a precious little birds nest on top. Can't you just see the little Carolina Wrens enjoying this new birds nest this spring????? Isn't this just awesome? I love it!!!! Thanks, George.
+++++++++++++
Following are more pictures of George and/or me ---enjoying our lives together.
Did you know that people in love can 'walk on water'????? |
See these love-bird 'tree-huggers'? Note that waterfall across the gorge? |
There's LOVE in the Hot Tub!!! |
Even if she is being scolded, she's still laughing!!!! |
And he still loves her, even though she LOVES snow --and he doesn't!!! |
AND--even when she pouts (she broke her hiking stick), he STILL loves her!!! |
Two lovers in LOVE |
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to YOU... Show love to those around you! LOVE does make the world go 'round!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
69 comments:
Happy Valentine's week to you both, Betsy! Sweet post and pictures today. I love your windchimes. Congrats to Jeff and Dawn. Have a great Valentine's day.
Wonderful advice for Jeff and Dawn. They'd do well to heed it.
Happy Valentine's Day to you two love birds. Enjoy your waterfallin'!
A lovely post. I hope you have an enjoyable day.
Wonderful sentiments...thanks.
What a sweet post Betsy, it surely is obvious that you and George share a very special kind of love.
A once in a lifetime love, and how you both shine !
Enjoy your waterfalling, and have another wonderful Valentine's Day together...
Hugs,
~Jo
Betsy, What an incredibly powerful story of love and God's work in our lives even when we have no idea he is working. I was in a Bible Study (BSF) for years at the church where you and George were married and happen to know that there could be no more romantic spot in all the world than in that riverfront pavillion. I continue to be amazed at the many ways our paths have crossed and am so thankful you had the word Tennessee is your blog title. More snow predicted on Valentine's Day - can't IMAGINE how much fun you and George will have with that!! Sharon
What a sweet love filled post!! Love that windchime!!!
Such a sweet post Betsy! Oh yes ~ lots of love here I think!
Wishing you and your sweet George a wonderful Valentine's Day full of love!
xo Catherine
So happy for you and George. I have been with my husband since 1974 when we met and married in 1978 an we are still very much in love. We are so lucky.
Wise words, Betsy, and a sweet tribute to your marriage :-)
You guys are a great story and I know what you're saying as I was lucky enough to find my life's valentine and soul mate 30+ years ago. Great marriage advice.
Happy Valentines Day you two love birds. It is so refreshing to hear someone proclaim their love so loudly. A great post.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Well said! Your sweet story is a Valentine inspiration. I'm off to check out how you and George met and look at more wedding photos.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Best,
Bonnie
I loved all the fun pictures of you and George today, Betsy! Happy Valentine's Day to you! :)
you definitely found your soul mate and it seems like when we are older we make better choices in mates. i have also learned to think about the good stuff when he does something that makes me want to choke him. when i get really mad i think about life before him and after him and get over the desire. love is not perfect and we have to work at it, or that is what i have found with my hubby. hope you both have a wonderful day tommorrow
Oh Betsy,that is so precious,seeing the two of you so in love and enjoying time together. Bigs hugs to you and have a wonderful day.
This was a sweet and fun post, Betsy...A walk down memory lane with you. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your sweetie.
Very sweet post. Thanks for the "words of wisdom" on marriage to live by. Happy Valentine's Day to you and George.
I didn't know you were once a Methodist minister. I loved your story about how you and George met as well as the beautiful photos of your wedding. You met on my birthday, January 7. David and I are non-practicing Catholics, but not a day goes by when I don't wish that God played a greater role in our lives. We just don't want to be part of a church right now.
You two love birds have a beautiful memory album - but more importantly your lives are an open book to family and friends about your love for one another. Awesome and a real blessing! Have a great Valentine's week! God bless!
What a beautiful love story....you two were meant to be together....
Great advice for your son and his soon to be bride...I wish I had known some of this years ago....never to late to learn new tricks....
Thank you for letting us see a glimpse of your lives together...love all the pictures..
God's blessings to you and George and the a great 2012! Larry
Ahh this is so sweet. I am happy that you and George are so happy. I see smiles in the pics
What a beautiful post ! I just loved it. Thank you for sharing your "special moments" with us. (o:
God has blessed you both...
Hi Betsy,
Happy Valentine's to you and George! You are such a cute couple. Have a great time waterfalling! Hope your weather is better than here...it's snowing today!
Love the windchimes...how neat!
Hugs, Cheryl
Congratulations to you and George for the love you share with and for each other. I like your "marriage is a 100/100 and not 50/50." You both have what it takes are are great examples for people to copy.
Some wonderful thoughts to share. In our busy lives we sometimes set aside why we are together, and forget the things that created our relationships.
People in love 'can walk on water' and some can even fly without reaching the sky:). LOVE is presence of PRESENT, and it is the most wonderful 'present' one can get in life. God bless both of you.
What a wonderful post! Your happiness together jumps right out of each picture. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day EVERY DAY, but I have a feeling I am preaching to the choir!
p.s. You would not believe how much sunflower seeds my birds are going through. Makes me worry about this week's weather, even though the weather guy says just an inch or two of snow then warmer and rain. Hungry birds might be a better indicator of what is to come!
There is so much to LOVE about this post about LOVE. :)
Great advice Betsy...I am so happy that you found George and you know what real LOVE is.
You hit the nail in the head with the 100% & 100%!!!
Have a great day!!
What a heart warming post, Betsy. You and George are both blessed to have found love together.
We will be married 50 years this April.
Warm hugs,
Pam
A beautiful post and heartwarming indeed! You and George are so fortunate to have found one another and what great advice to your son and his soon-to-be fiancee! I wish you both a very Happy Valentine's Day! Have a wonderful week!
Sylvia
Oh Betsy...this is a beautiful, touching post....You two make for a perfect couple and bless your hearts, I can see all the happiness written all across both of your faces...
Love is wonderful when you have that very special person to love you in return. You are giving your son and his fiance some wonderful advice..
Blessings to you and George and I pray for the two of you to have many more beautiful days together.
Hugs,
shug
This is such a sweet and romantic post..you two really are a beautiful couple.I can see the love in your eyes..Happy Valentine's Day to you both..Susie
Hi, Betsy. I was visiting Thoughtfully Blended Hearts and say you were from Tennessee and thought, "I have to meet this person." I am also from TN but have lived in TX for over 20 years now. I miss my family and the mountains very much. I try to visit them at least once a year and love going back home. I have enjoyed visiting your blog and will try to get back to see you soon. If you don't mind, I think I would like to follow your blog. Maybe you can show me some more of Tennessee!!
Your blog is very delightful!
Brenda
Down Memory La La Lane
I have never known a more perfect match than you two. Wishing you nothing but the best. They do not make many like George anymore. You both are truly blessed.
I had read your 'love story' before, but I loved reading it again today. You and George are truly a perfect match. God brought you together, and I love that you continue to honor Him with your marriage.
Happy Valentine's Day to you two sweethearts. Thanks for blessing our lives with yours and with all the good that has come from your marriage.
You two are so lucky to have found each other. Ben and I were a perfect fit too. We were alike in so many ways, but unalike it many ways too, but it was the perfect mix. I wish you and George many many many more years together.
Kay
Yours and George's story of meeting is wonderful, Betsy! I'm sure you were both meant to be together. It is so joyful to see how much you love each other! Happy Valentine's Day!
So awesome. I love seeing people in love it makes me smile too.
My hubby and I will be celebrating Valentine's Day and his birthday (Feb 19) this weekend. We took off work Friday just to go do something together.
Here's to many more Valentine's Days for you two.
Wonderful and Romantic.
You got married on my birthday and you 2 have been together as long as Julie and I.
Bless your Hearts on this special day.
Happy Valentines Day
Great post, Betsy ....wonderful advice for couples of any age! Your love for George and for life are so evident in your words and your pics! Happy Valentine's Day to the two of you!
Aw I love the early pictures of you and hubby! Cute couple!!!
awww! how cute. love all of them photos of you two. congratulations on years of togetherness. i will take to heart your advise about marriage and relationship, especially about it not being 50-50, but 100-100.
happy hearts day you two.
A LOVEly post! Great post and wonderful photographs!
what a wonderful post. You and George are such a sweet couple. I love your list. Happy Valentines Day to you and George. I hope you both enjoy your day
Happy Valentines day! What a sweet post! You and George seem made for each other. How nice to have that type of relationship at any time of your life. Loved the advice to your son and soon-to-be-daughter-in-law. I think more people need to know it's not 50-50 but 100-100!
What better post than to see two people in love celebrating every day as Valentines Day.
Loved your advice about settling touchy issues first. Brilliant.
How blessed you both are to have found each other.
Happy Valentine's and thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us.
Such a beautiful bride!
Hugs
I LOVE your advice! This is all so true. And you both are the cutest couple. Love this! We love Fall Creek Falls too!!! Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's to you both!
Oh Happy Valentine's Day, Betsy and George. I've seen your stories, your escapades and your waterfalls, and everything is rosy and beautiful. It is amazing how at 59 you were still able to find someone for the rest of your life. And I always appreciate the uniforms. In this part of the world, it is not common for "older people" to still be able to find someone. Maybe in the future, that will be happening also, but today maybe the latest is at early forties. Betsy, i know of someone's mother in Australia, actually my friend's mother, who at 70 and widow still finds the love of her life! Happy Waterfalling on Valentines Day.
Happy Valentine's Day! hope you are having a blast!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO YOU ALL. I hope you can find a place without rain or snow or freezing temps to enjoy your waterfalls !!!
Blessings
Marilyn
You both are adorable:) Relationships are a lot of work, but worth the effort. It's been 8 years for us. Our issues is that we don't celebrate the major holidays because of the crowds...but instead everyday...when possible:)
Superb post, Betsy. Such a beautiful bride and handsome groom!
As you know, I too found true love second time round and love him for all the same reasons you love your George for.
I agree wholeheartedly with your tips for a strong marriage.
And I think that combination birds nest and windchimes is awesome.
I'm so behind on your posts, but will gradually catch up.
Happy Valentine's Day! ♥♥♥
How neat and how lucky you both are. My life? I just can't even imagine what it would be like. So glad it is for you.
*sigh*
Thank you Betsy from Tennessee, for leaving me a comment on my blog. I was so thrilled to hear from you. I live in the Clear Lake area (since 1987 or 88) and was amazed to hear that your sons live in Galveston. I, too, love hiking to waterfalls, but we don't get to do that around here. I just want to let you know that I am so excited to have met a fellow Tennesseean while blogging! It's so beautiful there and I miss it very much. My family still lives there and I miss them so much. I will be looking forward to seeing all those beautiful waterfalls that you and George will visit.
Happy hiking!
Brenda
Happy Valentine day for both of you :D
As soon as I saw your title I started singing 'My Funny Valentine'.
Betsy, I don't think anyone can dispute that you and George are the epitomy of a lovely, loving couple. Definitely the poster couple for Valentine's Day!!
Hope you and George have a wonderful day! Love to you both!
Great words and photos! Happy Valentine's day to you.
A very moving and beautiful post of your love. I for one am grateful that you shared it with us. Peace be with you and now I really understand your love of snow and waterfalls. Peace
This could not have happened to a more deserving person. I went and looked at your wedding pictures!
I am soooooooooooo happy for you.
Happy Valentine's Day.
sandie♥
What a sweet post, Betsy! You and George look very happy and in love. Happy Valentine's Day!
I am so happy for the both of you. You make a beautiful happy couple.
I've been married to a wonderful man too for 40 years now.
Happy Valentine's Day to you both!! : )
You two are just the sweetest love birds I know! Happy Valentine's Day to you both.
OK, I clicked on HERE and HERE to read the story of how the two of you met and it is about the sweetest, most lovely, most inspiring story of two people God ever brought together that I have ever read! How wonderful!!!!! And your post is so charming and sweet. Of course you treasure the love the two of you have! It was forged in Heaven! Happy, happy Valentines Day!
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