Noel
May 29, 1960, the night of our engagement. Ruby and I went up on the hill behind Dana College to the Cross. I took a blanket so that we could sit there and enjoy the late evening together overlooking the town of Blair as well as the Missouri Valley. It was a beautiful evening, the day before I graduated from Dana. After midnight, I reached under the blanket, took the engagement ring, and asked Ruby to marry me. She said YES! It was and still is a very special, romantic evening.
Brother Sabastian’s in Omaha, a restaurant we have gone to for our Anniversary for so many years. Having a booth in a small room next to the fireplace, just the two of us. It’s quiet, cozy, and romantic. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is great, and it’s just wonderful to be with my wife. A precious time each year.
The year that Ruby and I went to Estes Park in Colorado, stayed in a condo that overlooked Falls River, listening to the sound of the river, sitting in a Jacuzzi enjoying each other, or taking a hike to some falls and enjoying each other and the scenery. Those times were special and romantic when we would stand holding each other and enjoying the moment.
Being together for 61 years, there are many more romantic times. God has been good to us and has given us many special times together.
Ruby
There have been many romantic moments in my life with Noel. Some I will share, and some I don’t feel I can share. One of the most memorable was in May 1960 when he walked me up the hill behind Dana College the evening before his college graduation. He laid out a blanket in front of the wooden cross, and there we sat, his arm around me, overlooking the lovely Blair area valley. We always knew when it was midnight because the train came through Blair and blew its whistle loudly. Then he reached under the blanket and picked up a box containing an engagement ring and asked me to marry him. Wow!! What a surprise!! This was his plan, to get engaged on his graduation day. Of course, I did not hesitate but said yes, and of course, we kissed and kissed.
Many other romantic times occurred when we went camping. I always love to “take a walk in the woods,” walking hand in hand. We’ve done this on many trips we’ve taken. Even though hiking is lots of work, it’s very romantic, because it’s something we both love to do. We both enjoy God’s beautiful nature. Sometimes sitting on a rock just talking or watching the ocean with its mighty power…
We love to build a fire and sit in the quiet, and just enjoy each other’s presence. I love when he holds me tight, letting me know that he cares. We sometimes say, “we haven’t kissed here before,” and it gives us a chance for a bit of humor and a kiss too. It’s even romantic when he surprises me by helping around the house with something I hadn’t thought about asking him to do. He said I am always free to buy myself flowers, so I guess that’s romantic when I know I can spend His money and know they are from him.
I love the words he writes on cards, but sometimes I think I don’t deserve all the flattery. I am so blessed to enjoy romance with such a “wonderful” young/old man these 60 plus years…