I was at the airport today and while I waited for my flight there was an elderly couple waiting to go to Omaha. They were probably late 70's or early 80's. They were already smaller than they likely were 30 years ago. They were dressed in old people clothes. She was complete with a woolen sweater and "slacks", but certainly sporting her fashionable shoes. Her hair was a bit messy, but she clearly had tried to make it look as pretty as possible. He was clean cut with his likely weekly barber shop haircut. He obviously has no idea just where to adjust his belt as he assumed his waist was just below his chest. He had on a sweatshirt (UW-Madison!) and white socks. There was nothing funny about their appearance. They obviously had seen better fashion days.
However, it was how they interacted that struck me. "Edward" (as we will name him) NEVER stopped touching "Emily" (her assigned name). The only real separation they had took place when he went to get her a coffee. While they sat together they held hands. Not just for a second here or there, but the whole time they sat together. They took "glances" at each other. Not to see what the other was doing, but to make sure that the other was there and more importantly to make sure the other knew they were looking at them. They were truly romantic. Even from my spot two rows away I couldn't help but watch them. I even moved closer to them to observe from a better vantage point.
"Edward" got up to go after coffee for "Emily". She honestly looked anxious for the 5 minutes he was away. When he left he asked her twice if she "cared for something to eat". The second time he asked her, she asked "what do they have?" Edward responded with a disappointed "I don't know honey, but I think I know what you like". Then off he went. When he returned he not only tested her coffee to make sure it wasn't too hot, but he took copious effort to tear her muffin into perfectly sized edible pieces for her. She smiled every time her handed her a part of the muffin. I almost cried when more than halfway through it she told him that "blueberry was her favorite muffin". As though he didn't know that already, but she was pleased that he found her favorite. She had eaten 3/4ths of it before she even noticed.
She was not without her care for him. She straightened his collar at least 10 times and even did the "spit comb" thing for him once. She seemed so proud that her handsome man was with her. She watched his every move. The she reached into the vacant seat next to them and found a deserted newspaper. "The Brewers won honey" she said as she handed him the paper. She seemed happy for him that they won. Then she straightened the paper and turned it to the Brewers section before she handed it to him.
When the couple boarded the plane they did so hand in hand. The whole way down the jet bridge. Luckily they had only her small purse to carry. "Edward" let "Emily" board the plane first. I passed by them on my way to row 10 (they were in row 2). They were sitting, settled and holding hands. It was truly a nice thing to see.
I lost them when we landed in Omaha somehow because I was on the phone. I am certain they traversed the terminal hand in hand and he carried her bags for her. I didn't see that part, but I envision that is what happened.
So I don't know what their lives were like for however long they have been together. But I saw how much in love they appeared at their advanced age. "Edward" truly loved "Emily" and they both truly cared for each other. This is how I see us in 40 years. Hand in hand taking care of each other. Making sure that every day the other knows how much we love each other and making sure the things in life we enjoy are taken care of by the other.
We have so much to look forward to my love. Someday I hope some young, in love traveller sees us in the airport and types a "I can't wait for that to be us" blog entry to the person he loves most. The amazing love we have for each other is our greatest gift. Maybe someone will be equally and randomly impressed by us as well.
So do you want to get old with me? I'll get old with you any time.
You're the world to me. I Love you more than anything in the world.
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