Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Crystal Chandeliers





                                              The crystal chandeliers light up
                                               the paintings on their wall
                                              The music carried them away
                                               forty three years ago, I recall

                                               A young woman turned eighteen
                                               living out her childhood dream
                                               Her soldier finally home from war
                                               made her feel like a beautiful queen

                                               With a marriage proposal in hand
                                                written with paper and pen
                                               Two hearts joined together as one
                                               that beautiful day of October ten

                                               The marble statuettes still stand
                                               so grand and stately in the hall
                                               Fresh as the dawn, promises made
                                               forty three years ago, I recall

                                               Old yet young as the heart will allow
                                               the music still carries them away
                                               In their hearts there's still a song
                                               for that beautiful October day

                                               Hand and hand they walk together
                                               since the day that love came to call
                                               And the new will never wear off 
                                               of the crystal chandeliers at all

                                               © Susie Swanson, 2013

The above picture is a letter that contains my marriage proposal forty three years ago. It's postmarked on September 9th, 1970. I received it two days later. If you look close you can see the postage stamp was only 6 cents then and because he sent it in an air mail envelope, postage became 10 cents. Guess who paid the other 4 cents... He had just returned from Vietnam and was use to mailing them out air mail. That became the best 4 cents I've ever had to spend. Even the penny candy from the store and me having to save my money to buy it didn't mean as much as this letter... 

We started dating on August 22nd 1970 , got married on October 10th, 1970. I became an Army wife and oh did my life change. Here we are today forty three years later, have one son and three grandchildren and one great grandson. We have been blessed beyond measure.

The letter is now old and faded, the address has now changed. I still take it out and read it every chance I get and while I'm reading it I listen to our all time favorite song Crystal Chandeliers by Charley Pride. We listened to it on a 8 track tape in the car and an old record player And today, every time I hear it, it takes me back to that special place and time, when we stood before our family, friends and God and  made a promise  to love one another forever... Forever is not here yet!!

Happy Anniversary to my loving husband. Thank you for forty three great years. I love you more each passing day and Pray that hand and hand we walk together another forty three.. Love, Susie

32 comments:

  1. Susie, I wish you and your husband a very Happy Anniversary. May you have many more together , to share a lasting love. Blessings to you both. xoxo,Susie

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    1. Awe, thank you so much Susie Blessings to you as well. xo

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  2. Thanks Susie Same to you Love you 2.

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  3. Such a lovely poem, Susie. Congratulations to you and your husband. Wishing you many more happy years together.

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  4. Happy Anniversary!

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  5. Oh how sweet..such a lovely poem to speak of love newborn and continuing. Charlie and I met in February 1968 and got married on August 28th 1970.

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    1. Awe, thank you Susie. We have so much in common. Happy belated anniversary to you both.

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  6. Dear Susie,

    Your poem is a testament of your love, the forever kind of love. I wish you and your husband a wonderful Anniversary. God Bless you both.

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    1. Thank you so much my sweet friend. God Bless you as well.

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  7. Your write is so full of love & beauty Susie. I giggled when I saw how long you dated, 2 mns. We were married 4 weeks from the day we met.
    Happy anniversary my sweet friend.
    Love ya! Marydon

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    1. I'm in awe at how much we have in common Marydon. thank you so much my sweet friend. love you too.

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  8. Happy Anniversary Susie! Your poem and sharing of how it came to be gave me shivers. How wonderful that the two of you have created such a loving life together with a blessed family. Yeah for you!!! Many hugs on this very special day:)

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    1. That is so sweet Lise. Thank you for the wonderful wishes. Hugs to you also.

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  9. Absolutely wonderful, Susie! Congratulations, and wishes for many more years together.

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    1. Thank you so much Charlotte. Hugs and love to you.

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  10. Oh My Gosh... This is AWESOME... Congrats to you ---and what a wonderful letter.... Made me teary---but tears of JOY for you. Happy Anniversary... Hope you do have many many more years together.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Awww, thank you so much Betsy and the same to you and George.

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  11. What a beautiful story, and that it's true makes it all the better!

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  12. Susie,
    What a romantic letter and so very special. I'm sure this letter is a treasure to you. Thank you for sending the book. I will be looking out for it in the mail, and I will be sure to get the payment out to you as soon as I can. I've been under the weather lately, but as soon as I feel better, it is my top priority. Thank you, Susie.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  14. You have posted a very beautiful poet about faux crystal chandelier. I'm sure this letter is a treasure to you.It is really good poet that makes it all the better!

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