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True Love Does Exist

No, It Is Not a Fairytale

By Jordan GallePublished 5 years ago 5 min read
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I have been told the story so many times. And I have told the story many more. It really does sound like something out of a romance novel or romantic comedy.

The best part is, it isn't.

The following is the true story of how my mother, Dana Carol Dover, and father, Bernerd Alloycius Galle, became my parents. This is how they fell in love.

Both grew up Catholic. My dad served as an Usher for the church, and began attending the same church as my mother.

My mother sang in the choir and played the guitar. Her friend was a beautiful gal who all the guys wanted.

Not my dad. The first time he noticed my mother, he turned to his fellow Usher. "Hey, you see that girl in the choir? Back row playing the guitar? The one with glasses? Someday, I'm gonna marry that girl."

The guy says, "Ben, I didn't know you two were dating. That's wonderful!"

My father responds with, "I don't even know her name yet."

Now, for those who don't know, an Usher at the Catholic Church has the responsibilities of helping people find a seat when the church is filling up, handing out the collection baskets and retrieving them, and directing the congregation of people to receive communion (the Body and Blood of Christ).

The last part is the most essential for the story. Ushers will stand by each row and step behind when the flow of traffic is reasonable for more people to get in line, then they walk up last.

Well, my dad would always pick the rows closest to the choir, so that every time he walked past her, he would wink at her.

The plan was perfect, except my mom kept thinking that he was winking at her friend, not her.

Until one day, her friend was sick, and it was just her playing guitar in the back row.

And he still walked by.

... And he still winked.

That was the moment she giggled and squealed inside. "He's winking at me! He's winking at me!!!"

They eventually started talking, and my dad would walk her home or give her a ride sometimes. Chatting along the way, and falling in love.

One day, my dad got down on one knee and proposed to her. When she hesitated, he quickly recovered and said, "Nah, I was just kidding. I wanted to see if you'd go steady with me."

Of course she agreed. But months later, she brought it up.

"Hey, remember when you fake proposed? Well, I was gonna say yes, but you cut me off and asked if I wanted to go steady."

"REALLY?!" my dad exclaimed.

And the rest was history. They did get married and become Mr. And Mrs. Ben Galle. My mom said to my dad on their wedding night:

"Just so you know, I don't believe in divorce. However, after 75 years, I'll think about it."

My parents do everything together. They worked at the same job for a time, though in completely separate departments.

They loved and raised four wonderful kids (I'm the third of four: my older brothers Jason and Jerod, I'm Jordan, and my younger sister is Jilene).

After all four of us graduated high school and more or less moved on, my dad got transferred to the FedEx hub in Memphis, Tennessee. He had to leave behind my mom in Eagle River, Alaska.

Well, my mom couldn't stand it. She hated being away from my dad for so long. So, what did she do?

She moved to Memphis to be with her husband. And there, their marriage blossomed even more than ever before.

My parents have always been that symbol of true love for me. A constant reminder that it is real, not just some fairy tale.

Did I fight with my parents? Of course. Who hasn't? Did I tell them, "I hate you! You're the worst parents ever!"

Again, who hasn't?

But the truth is, I never once hated them. I have always loved them. And I always will. And no matter what, I never have and never will say anything against their marriage. They truly are the best role models for true love that anyone could ever ask for.

And they are just one example. I have seen thousands, literally thousands of couples who have demonstrated true love. Loyal, unbreakable, constant love.

So please, believe in true love. It is real. It is achievable. And you can achieve it.

Simple steps, but don't knock them:

  1. Communication is key. Always. Talk about everything with them, and let them know when you're having issues.
  2. Remind them as often as possible you love them. Gifts are great, but a kiss, a hug, a handwritten note by their bedside. Such trinkets, while they may sound cheesy, are super important.
  3. Don't stay mad at them forever. Recognize they are willing to apologize, and that they wish to make things right. If they didn't, they would be gone or cheating. They're still there, so forgive them. Move on. Move forward, before the damage becomes too irreparable.
  4. Every argument, you must ask this question: "Is this worth destroying our marriage? Is this worth throwing away everything we have built?"
  5. Say that you love them. Don't just leave them wondering, or think they always know. They might, but it is better to always say it, because tomorrow is never a guarantee. Spend today, and every day, as though it was their last day alive.
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