By Dorothy Tarpley

They married young, merely teens out of high school.  Inexpensive wedding bands were all they could afford, though that had nothing to do with the love they felt for one another.  No one would bet on this marriage lasting, they were just too young.

      He graduated college while working a night shift job.  She worked full time to pay for his classes.  They didn’t consider themselves deprived or disadvantaged in any way.

      Still young and in love, they welcomed their first child, a son.  Ten months later, they welcomed their second son.  No one would bet on the marriage surviving the struggles and stress of two babies in ten months.  But they came from strong families and good parenting and lived by the positive examples and values passed to them.

      Life smoothed out with more financial stability.  They purchased their first home, with other young families in the neighborhood.  Their third child arrived, a much-wished-for daughter.  Life was stable, the marriage was strong.

      The years seemed to fly by at warp speed.  Suddenly it seemed the kids were grown and raising families of their own.  They became grandparents and joined the ranks of the retired.

      One Christmas morning, with family gathered, a large wrapped present appeared.  It was tagged from him to her and was saved until all the other gifts had been opened.  The present was hard to unwrap but contained only several weights to make it so heavy.  She was confused until she spotted a small box at the bottom.  Before she could open it, he knelt down, said he loved her and that he had waited way too many years to replace her inexpensive wedding band.  In the box, a beautiful diamond ring.

      With all they have shared and built into their 58 years of marriage, the question answers itself:  “Will you still love me tomorrow?”