This is not a fairy tale although it may sound like one!
This is not a fairy tale although it may sound like one. This is the true story of two extraordinary, exceptional people.
“Would you like to go to coffee?” He said. He had noticed that she was a nice-looking gal, tall and stately, and best of all easy to talk with. They had just met in the library at San Lois Obispo University where they were each working on separate projects. She was only eighteen, a secretary working at the college. He was a junior studying mechanical engineering. Seated near each other, she noticed this handsome, tall guy and felt an immediate attraction.
Soon they were dating. Over the months, they fell in love. She knew right away that he was the one. He knew in a few months especially when he discovered that they had similar values.
The college campus was an ideal setting where they could learn not only what they enjoyed together, but also of each other’s reputations and observe how they got along with others as they enjoyed football games and school parties.
After eight months he knew he was ready and took her to dinner in a special restaurant. Even though he was nervous and hesitant, he said, “Will you marry me?
He added, “But I don’t believe in divorce.” She was flattered as she realized that he believed in a lifetime commitment. After the wedding, they lived in a small apartment so that he could finish his senior year in mechanical engineering
One morning after they had been married for three months she announced, “I think I’ll go to church.” She had only been to a church a few times in her life but was interested.
“Okay, I’ll go along with you.” He hadn’t been to a church in a long time so he chose a denomination that he had grown up in. He knew the Bible well. She realized that that’s where his beliefs came from. Soon, when a preacher came to visit them, she was surprised that he didn’t ask for money. She was impressed.
Later, the preacher asked, “Would you like to start a Bible study?”
“Sure! Why not?” they said. It was her first real understanding of the Bible. After they learned what it all meant, they were both baptized.
But there’s more that we learn from their story. Early on, when I got their permission to write my story, he said, “Now Annie, don’t make us look too good. We have flaws, you know.”
I said, “I’d write about them if I knew of any.”
After graduating, they moved to Big Creek, high in the Sierra Mountains where his new job with the Edison Company was. That hydroelectric power plant, located in Big Creek, between Shaver and Huntington Lake was an ideal location with only 450 residents and housing costing only $25 a month. Their three children were born there: Barb, David, and Brian. What an ideal setting in which to raise a family!
They enjoyed living in the little town with kids playing together, parents helping each other, exchanging babysitting, and having many dinners together. The children watched as their parents talked the talk and walked the walk. By all opinions, including his wife, Ron was and is a great father. Inevitably, with his Bible knowledge, friendliness, and organizational skills, he became an interesting Bible teacher.
He loved the mountains and for ten years the five of them delighted in hiking and camping. Even though hiking wasn’t her favorite thing, she participated with enthusiasm. Again, we see that pattern of sharing their interests with each other and joining in with great enthusiasm.
After 10 years, they were transferred to southern California, settling in Huntington Beach. Because it was important to them, they immediately became established in a local church. When their youngest was a freshman in high school, and the opportunity arose, Ardith was offered an excellent job as a secretary. Soon, with her skills, ability to set people at ease, and honesty she was promoted to being a supervisor. Before long, she was trained to negotiate complicated contracts for a major company.
I’m sharing this story because even though we see that they have done so many things right, somehow, they have deep compassion and understanding for those who have experienced disappointments, failures, and brokenness in their lives. They have worked as volunteers counseling the needy to help them get back on their feet.
Sure, life happens. Their lives have not been a fairy tale. They’ve had their fair share of “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (Shakespeare). But most importantly, of course, their values were established from the very beginning.
It’s been interesting for me to observe how beautifully their personalities complement each together. He, the calm engineer giving attention to detail, organized, kind, and a great listener. She, on the other hand, is a very sociable person who loves to entertain.
I smiled when she told me years ago that she is an introvert. Really? I chuckle as I watch her gifts of hospitality in action. Their home is a mecca of gatherings for family and friends extending to book clubs, small group meetings and parties.
So here we have a match made in heaven.
Today in addition to three grown kids, they have two daughters-in-law, a son-in-law and nine grandkids, some of whom lived with them while going to college.
Where did the years go?
As they prepared to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary, once again we friends have admired their mutual respect for each other’s interests. He has enjoyed watching her prepare her original wedding dress as much as she has. And because she wanted to, he took up dancing for their first dance and loved it as much as she did. Their exquisite yard, a miniature Garden of Eden, reflects that same team spirit, working side by side with the same lifelong mutual respect and delight of being together.
They make marriage look so easy! They not only love each other but like each other. Now we all know that the death rate is 100%. We all die.
But some people never live. These two do.
What advice do they have to give to this broken world with a divorce rate of 50% among believers?
“Go into marriage with your eyes wide open. After marriage keep your eyes half closed. Appreciate each other’s strengths, overlook weaknesses.”
I think it all boils down to love.
Now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13.
HAPPY 61ST ANNIVERSARY, RON AND ARDITH MAUREL!
Enjoy reading Annie’s recently published inspirational memoir, THAT ONE PERSON, by Annie Farris, written to encourage you in these challenging times. Now available on Amazon for $15.95, and Kindle for $9.99. Endorsed by Pat Boone and 18 others with numerous 5-star reviews. It makes a great gift!
AFTER YOU’VE READ THE BOOK, PLEASE GO TO AMAZON.COM AND WRITE A REVIEW. Amazon will only allow Annie to advertise after she has 100 5 star reviews, a daunting job for a new author!