Since several of the goddesses are at their conference this week, we thought we’d bring in some special guests. In talking about which guests to invite, it dawned on us that several of our reader goddesses have great ideas for blog posts of their own.
Among these is our very own Sheridan. Today, Sheridan is sharing a family treasure with us. In addition to this great, fascinating tale of real life love, thegoddessblogs will give an Advanced Reading Copy of goddess Karen Hawkins’s August 31st release, the prequel to the MacLean Curse Series, MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE, to one randomly chosen poster. Yes, this could be YOU!
So post today and post often!
And now, without further ado, heeeere’s Sheridan:
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved romantic stories and fairy tales. I immerse myself into a book and pour through every page just to get to the “happily ever after,” as I think we all do. Some have found their own true love and some of us keep searching, but we can all appreciate a wonderful, heartwarming story – especially if it is a true one.
This particular story began on October 30, 1923 at the annual Halloween carnival held at the Methodist Church. Sixteen year old Florence Powars and a few friends dressed up as gypsies for the fortune telling tent. Little did she know that a tall, blond athlete named Fred Stancliff would walk up to her table and change her life forever.
The two courted for five years as Fred insisted that Florence take advantage of the opportunity to get her college education, for he valued education above almost everything else.
Encouraged by Fred, Florence enrolled in the same college he was attending where she majored in Fred Stancliff and minored in English Literature. Not long after her graduation, they were married and, for the most part, lived happily ever after.
Growing up, I heard this tale many times. It was always accompanied by a smile and a special look between them. Fred and Florence had a very special love. They were also my grandparents.
A few years ago, I was helping my father go through his storage rooms and I came across a couple of boxes marked “letters.” At first, I wasn’t sure what I had, but I figured I could use some of the old letters for collages or photos or something crafty. But it turned out these yellowed pages were not just any letters, but a large collection of letters my grandparents had written while they were courting. Also in the boxes were my grandmother’s journal and some of her scrapbooks.
What unfolds in these pages is a very sweet love story; one that lasted until Fred’s death in 1995 after 68 years of marriage. Things were not always perfect and there were a number of little disagreements along the way (although every good story needs some drama, don’t you think?), but there were also celebrations and a growing affection that held strong through good times and bad.
The other bonus I received from finding those boxes is that it has turned into a family project. My father has undertaken to fill in a few blanks here and there and he has a number of little “asides” to share. One of my favorites being about that fateful Halloween carnival where my grandparents met.
My father told me that my grandmother admitted she’d volunteered to be at the front table that night. Why? Because she knew all of the girls coming into the Gypsy tent would head to the back tables for their fortunes (perhaps to gain some privacy). Meanwhile, the boys tended to go toward the first table they saw – the front one.
My grandmother was always was a cheeky one!
Have you ever chanced upon a family treasure? What was it and how did you find it? Did it change your relationship or viewpoint of anyone in your family?
Click here to check out the amazing website Sheridan has dedicated to her grandparents, Fred and Florence!