Serving Our Seniors Magazine: January - March 2024

She recalled, “We would tell the children they have to go to bed early on Christmas Eve. I had bought each of them new pajamas. I would wait to make sure they were asleep. Tom and I would take off their pajamas and put on the new ones. The pajamas were the kind with feet in them. We would get to bed around 3:30 a.m. and the kids would come running into our bedroom at around 5:00 a.m. They would be so excited. They wanted us to see how Santa dressed them in new pajamas.” I asked Diane, what qualities did she noticed in her husband, as a young woman, that attracted her to him? She quickly stated, “He was very respectful and considerate.” For Tom, “It was the conversations that we shared, her strong, independent, personality and she was ambitious. Not only that, she was pretty – very pretty – and she wasn’t stuck on herself.” As I talked to Pastor Hayes I said, “I find it interesting that you were not intimidated by having a strong woman, as your wife.” He replied, “There is a reason for that. I had a wonderful mother. I saw, at a young age, my step-father never gave my mother the respect that she deserved. I hated that. I knew, as a young boy, I will not be like that.” Will to Honor Your Commitment The other factors responsible for their long and happy marriage is their commitment to their family and their Christian faith. “Our marriage was not perfect. Some days we were like oil and water. After I gave my life to Christ,” said Tom, “I had new revelations on the importance of family and He changed me.” Tom went on to say, “I used to be very hot tempered and the Lord removed that. The things that bother me about Diane, the Lord helps me get passed that. Diane nodded in agreement that she credits God in her ability to over-look things that bother her. I asked, “Does love change after all these years?” Diane said, “It’s the same, but it has really improved. You have all of this trust, now, too. You also have so much compassion for the other person. Your love grows and your respect for each other grows.” Tom said, “I agree with her. You have a different respect for each other.” Their advice to readers who want to remain happy and married is this, “Don’t dominate your spouse. Find out if he/she is happy at this stage of life. Be committed to that person and make sure they know he / she is worth it.” Diane recommends, “Just practice showing love and appreciation. Think about how you want to be treated. That is the way you want to treat your mate.” “From a Minister’s perspective,” said Tom, “I must say, make the Lord the centerpiece of your life and he will minister to you.” 15