It’s that time of year again…corny, expensive cards are lining the shelves, as is chocolate with an odd, metallic taste. It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air! I thought I would take some time to reflect upon a love story that inspires me every day, not only when Hallmark pushes the ideal of love. This piece is an ode to my grandparents, Nancy and Ed Myer.
As a little girl, Disney princesses tried to tell me that women needed to be saved by men, and the man who “saves” you is your true love. I could never subscribe to that concept because I had a genuine example of true love through my grandparents. They always work as a team and are amazing, strong, independent people in their own right.
My grandparents met in March 1958, when they were juniors at Haddonfield Memorial High School. From there, the rest is history. Upon my Grammie graduating from the University of Delaware and my Pop Pop from Muhlenberg College, they wed on March 21st, 1964 and moved to Medford, New Jersey. In Medford, they taught for a combined 61 years at local school districts. They raised their two sons: my father, Scott, and my uncle, Todd, instilling in them the importance of hard work, respect, and kindness.
The love that my grandparents share for one another and for the family they’ve built together is unmatched. Every summer, they take my parents, siblings, cousins, aunt, uncle, and I to Ocean City for a family trip. For their 50th wedding anniversary, we did a family photoshoot on the beach. Those memories and photos are something that I will cherish forever.
As the holiday season officially comes to a close, I want you all to remember that love is something that can be celebrated year round. In a world that can be full of hate, love surrounds us in the small stuff. To my Grammie and Pop Pop, thank you for all that you’ve done and will continue to do for our family. I love and look up to you both. Happy Valentine’s Day!
