The greatest love story

Cinderella met her man at a ball, Anna on her way to save Arendelle and well, I think you get the picture. Disney love stories have gone back for centuries creating images of fairy tales in all the minds of little girls. But the greatest love story of them all wasn't a fairy tale after all. It began in a classroom many many years ago, and today it is being told as a cheer's to what would of been 69 years.

Once upon a time there was a girl named Charline. Her hair red like Ariel's and curls every girl wished for. She was beautiful, kind and not like the other girls at all. Her soft face would never lead you to believe the childhood she had. Yes this girl was stronger then most, even braver then Merida I suppose. But what about the prince you ask? Ah yes, let us meet him next.

There once was a boy named David, Dave for short. He was a very tall man, intimidating you could say, but with that big statue came an even bigger heart. Dave was a family man and one of the hardest workers you could ever find. He listened fully when you spoke and told stories that intrigued even the youngest of folks. He was handsome beyond compare and while the lady's loved him, he had his eyes set on only one who just so happened to have red hair (Dave loved red heads). And by now I think you can guess where this story is going.

Dave had a sister named Jackie who just so happened to be in the same class as Charline. The two girls became quick friends and one day Charline asked Jackie if she had any brothers, her response will make you laugh. Jackie said, "yeah I've got one but you wouldn't like him." Charline and Dave were married shortly after.

Our handsome prince became a brave solider shortly after their I do's and went off to fight in world war 2. Thankfully his draft was short however and now they could enter their next greatest adventure, becoming parents. Dave and Charline welcomed their first, a beautiful baby girl, but she wouldn't be their last. The two went on to have 4 beautiful children together in their life, unfortunately losing one at the young age of 21.

Through all the setbacks and triumphs these two remained unshaken. Their love for each other only grew stronger with each passing day. Dave worked multiple jobs at times to provide for his family, and Charline remained a stay at home mom, giving those sweet kids all the love, support and guidance they needed. They built their love from the ground up literally, Dave designed and built their home all on his own. I'm not sure about you but I'd take this fairy tale over a Disney one any day.

After 67 years together Dave grew tired, his body began to give up after years of strenuous work and he was ready to be called home. That March of 2018 Dave entered Hospice, upon his entrance he looked the nurse in the eyes and said, "I'll be gone in three days", and he was right. On March 31st, 3 days after arriving, he was called home surrounded by his family and holding the hand of his one and only love. Till death do us part they said, and man did they mean it.

Growing up I had every hope, dream and wish of my life being like the fairy tales of the Disney princesses, but Dave and Charline's is truly the greatest love story of them all. I don't want someone who sweeps me off my feet at a ball I have zero business being at, I want a man like my grandpa. The kind of guy who works hard for what he wants in life, loves his family more then anything and spends everyday making sure they know that and are well taken care of.

Today would of been 69 years for them. They wanted to make it to 70 so badly and throw the biggest party ever, God love them. 67 years is more then an accomplishment in my books however. It's a testament of their unconditional love for one another, one that as a result has continued to carry on in our family for generations upon generations. Our family is full of love because of their hard work and dedication.

And while the pages of their love story may have ended, their legacy lives on in the faces and personalities of their great grandbabies. My sweet Addison is the best mix of them both, her middle name and looks are of Great Grandma Charline and her personality is a mini Dave so I like to say. Each day I look at her I get to carry on the greatest love story of them all.

Cheers to 69 years Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you for this beautiful family you have raised, for showing us all how to love and for setting the bar quite high for all us girl's future husbands. Love you both endlessly and I promise you Grandpa we will all be there for Grandma today in some way.

And they lived happily ever after...The end.

~The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.~