Love is a Temporary Madness.

They always say “write what you know”, so bare with me, but today is about love. I’m lucky, at the young age of 21 I am aware that I might not know love (does anybody really?) but I’m sure I’ve seen it.

I feel a bit like I’m bragging, but here’s where I get really lucky. I actually (touch wood) have 2 sets of Grandparents. On my Mum’s side there’s Marian and Dennis (Nana & Grandpa) and on my Dad’s there’s Pam and Keith (Granny and Grandpa). AND to top it all of the 4 of them are best friends! Call me crazy but I think that’s pretty special.

Anyway, back in March on a beautiful day at Bradford Golf Club we all got together to celebrate Marian & Dennis’ Golden Wedding Anniversary. 50 years! Incredible. My poor Mum was very ill at the time (viral labrynthitis) and her sister made a speech on their behalf. My sister Georgia said grace, my cousin made a toast, and I said this…

‘Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. You have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from your branches you’ll find that you are one tree and not two.’ - St Augustine

Honestly they fight like cat and dog, drive each other up the wall and throughout those 50 years there’s been drama, loss, betrayal and hurt. But through all that, they stuck by each other to build a life together. And now in the later years of that life they are surrounded by a happy family. In all honesty it’s something I struggle with, but all my grandparents give me hope that yes, it does happen. Some loves do last forever. It might not always be easy or glamorous or exciting but if you care enough for each other you can get through anything, and what’s more, that it’s worth it. I’m just grateful that I have these wonderful people in my life;  if in 50 years time I have half of what they have I’ll definitely pinch myself once or twice to check I'm not dreaming.

Dennis & Marian, Pam & Keith - Florida 1995