A Love Story

A story I love to share.

Recently I read a blog about an old high school sweater that belonged to a loved one that passed away. If you want to check it out you can find it here A Collection Of This And That. I loved the sweater and I loved the story behind it. Dayle mentioned she likes to think of all the good memories her loved one had in that sweater. It got me thinking about the memories I ask my grandparents to share with me. I love asking them to tell me stories from their youth. I treasure those stories just as much as I treasure the stories on my bookshelves.

My favorite story ever is how my Grandparents met. They have a Storybook Romance.

My Grandpa just finished college at Ohio Northern and had lined up an interview for a teaching position in Kalida, Ohio. When mapping out his trip he made an error and mapped his trip to Clyde, Ohio. (they sound similar) He drove all the way to Clyde and showed up on time for his interview only to be told that he was at the wrong school and worse the wrong town. Haha! Fortunately, Clyde just happened to have an opening for a Health & Physical Education teacher. My Grandpa interviewed and he got the job.

Meanwhile, my Grandma who is from a large family (she has 10 other siblings) was working as a waitress at the local diner, Bechlers. Next to the restaurant and still stands today is the Winesburg Inn. Grandpa stayed there while searching for a place to live.

Grandpa would go into Bechlers and eat dinner and Grandma would wait on him. My Grandpa always laughs because he said my Grandma would put her hand on his shoulder to ask if everything was okay with his meal. (she always blushes and denies this accusation my Grandpa makes) Finally, Grandpa asked Grandma on a date and they only dated a whopping 3 months. My Grandpa popped the question in the car one night when he was dropping her off from a date.

My Grandparents are still happily married today! I asked my Grandma how she knew Grandpa was the one and she answered very matter of fact “I sat in the middle of the bench seat right next to him in the car, I never felt comfortable to do that with anyone” haha!

Their love story is my favorite story to hear and tell.

I originally was going to end the blog there but, I felt necessary to explain to the world how much I love my Grandparents! My Grandparents are the glue that binds my whole family. They had 3 kids. Robert, Paul (my dad), and Ann and of course they all had children. I am the oldest grandchild of 11. We spend every Sunday at my Grandparents house. It makes for a loud house full of laughter and multiple people talking at once. However, throughout the week it isn’t uncommon for any of us to stop over on multiple occasions to visit for an hour or two. When I go there one of my cousins are usually there too. Especially now that some of the younger ones are able to drive. Then sometimes my cousins and I all get together and plan a surprise visit. They stay up and watch the 11:00 o’clock news so a few months ago we all drove over at 10:00 and surprised them! They loved it! We stayed till about midnight and even then my Grandma was saying “you kids don’t have to rush out, we stay up pretty late.” My Grandparents are the ones who introduced me to God. They are the ones who taught me that it is okay to laugh at myself when I make a mistake. They are my biggest supporters. Even now typing this out I get teary eyed just because I love them that much! I am so incredibly lucky to have them in my life.

When I was little I was kind of scared of my Great Grandparents. I didn’t see them often and my one Great Grandma had her leg amputated so for a 6 year old that was a bit much ha. I didn’t want my son to be like that around my Grandparents. He isn’t! He is obsessed with them haha probably just as much as I am. When we pull into their house he squeals and bounces in his seat. They adore my son (at times I think they want to see him more than they want to see me and I get jealous haha).  I just can’t stress how much I love those two people! If you have Grandparents or older relatives, take the time to ask them stories from when they were younger! You never know what great story they might have to share!

 

Jessilyn

My Grandparents and I when I was blonde and pregnant ha.

Christmas caroling when my brother was home from the Marines.

Elsie & Ralph

Grandpie and Max in the garden

Wonderful Weekend

Cupcake Wine.

I had a lovely weekend. A weekend full of fun and people I love the most. I am thankful for this past weekend.

Friday I attended our local high school football game. It was one of the big games. We played our rival, The Redman…grr * insert angry football face here. Sadly, we lost! I used to cheer in high school so watching the game brought back a lot of fun memories. I even got some goose bumps when the band started playing our fight song. I took Max and he seemed to like it as well. However, once the clock started winding down in the fourth quarter so did his patience for sitting in the stands. I went with my close friend and we sat with my grandparents. It ended up storming that night so I fell asleep to the sound of a hard rain.





 Saturday morning Max slept in which is rare. I took full advantage and curled back up under my covers until I heard the familiar “mom, MOM, mom”. My friend Kate invited Max and I to breakfast so after a pit stop to the potty to brush our teeth, Max and I were out the door. (jammys still on) Kate made pancakes and had fresh peaches which really hit the spot. I can’t resist a juicy peach! The sun finally peaked through and it was cool, sunny, and a perfect day for the zoo! We got the kids around and took off for Toledo. It was a perfect day at the zoo. The animals were very active and Max loved the Tigers. The one was quite active, chasing around a bird in his enclosure. The rest of the day Max would have a random Tiger outburst “arrggg…. (complete with a claw gesture).

Kate being silly and Max looking so handsome!



Look at my happy man!

After the zoo….I hit a wall on the “good day train”. We went to good ole Bobby Evans. Max was sleepy and was not in the sitting and eating quietly mood. Bob Evans in my town is comparable to a nursing home. So I suffered many stares from the geriatrics section of the restaurant. I decided I would no longer ruin others meal with my screaming child. I asked Kate to box up our meal and we would be in the car. After a few minutes of calm down for Max I let my hunger overcome my fear of the stares and walked back in to attempt to finish my meal. I sat Max down and he started picking at his food. I picked up my sandwich to take a bite and low and behold a big, black hair was intricately weaved into my burger. Vomit! I was done.  

We got home and Max fell asleep, it was a long day and he was pooped. I too had a long day and emotionally I have been a bit frazzled due to some recent news and yet another bout of rejection. (I just can’t win when it comes to my dating life) I grabbed a bottle of wine and went for a good session of Whining over Wine. I am truly thankful for my friend Emily. She has patient ears. I always whine over the same stuff and she continues to listen. I hope someday I can do the same for her. I think my whine session was helpful, I feel a lot better and a lot more productive. Sometimes you just need a good friend and a glass of wine. Plus it was a gorgeous night. The air was cool and we were in our sweats and hoodies out on her patio. I went home with a smile in my heart.



Cupcake

I follow some blogs that I look at and think “man these people are perfect.” They have a great hubby, a beautiful home, a sense of style and a knack for décor. I usually sign off with such envious thoughts. Today I told myself….”You’ll be there someday”. I truly think I will be. So my weekend was lovely and I am thankful in so many ways.

Jessilyn

Best Day of My Life

I started my job back in January and the same man comes every Friday to pick up our rugs. He is an African American man with kind eyes and a beautiful smile. Looking at him makes you want to smile because he looks so happy. Every Friday he asks the same quick question “How are you today Jess?” I always answer with usual polite response….good….fine…okay…. and then return the favor “How are you?” Everytime he answers with a big smile “The best day of my life.” When he leaves I feel warm and happy inside. I told him today that I appreciate his answer because it is so positive. He then explained that 12 years ago he heard someone say that and was inspired by it and decided to use it as his own.

This small positive statement truly says a lot. We will never get yesterday back and tomorrow is not promised to us. For all we know today is all we have. I can worry and stress over my past and think of ways I could have done things differently but, it will never change. I can fret and plan for the future but, I don’t know how much time I really have ahead of me. I have friends and family who love me dearly. They call me to see how I’m doing, they stop over to split a bottle of wine and discuss life. I have friends who are miles away and take time out of their day to listen to me vent or will call because they want my advice. I have a huge family who looks out for me and prays for me. I have a son who is the apple of my eye. I get to wake him up in the morning when we are ready to leave and I get to see that sleepy grin that I love so much. I have all these things and I have them today! Today really is the best day of my life!  

With that being said I understand it isn’t realistic to not have any worry in the world. I am probably the best worry wart out there. However, when you feel yourself swimming in worry, regret, doubt, anxiety just remember today is all you have for sure. Do you really want to spend it worrying? Go outside and look at the sky with your kids. Kiss your husband a little longer when he gets home from work. Watch your child sleep for a few minutes before you rush off to bed. Call up family members just to tell them you love them! Take time to enjoy today and make everyday the best day of your life.