Betting on Love

February 16, 1985
Colton Chapel
Lafayette College

Two Weeks.  That was the longest any of Steven's SAE Fraternity brothers were willing to bet on the staying power of his newest relationship.

As Steven likes to tell it, back then we were both students at Lafayette College and both on the Dean's List. Only, I was on the right one. And it was true we did have some interesting (and at times perplexing) run-ins with professors and administrators.

February 16, 2014
Methodist Hospital
Memphis, TN

In the local supermarket, one crisp autumn Saturday, Dr Pope, Chair of the Religion Department and ironically a Protestant, greeted us with,"Good Morning, Marianne" - look of astonishment- "What are you doing with him?"

There was also that time Steven and I took a walk about the quad, and Registrar Cyrus Fleck strolled past.  He glanced sideways, tipped his hat. "Good morning, Marianne."  Then stared straight ahead. "Mr. Gage."

I suppose we were an odd couple.  But I found something fundamentally good and lovable in Steven and he returned love for love.

November 2010
Germany

Truth be told, his love was deeper and stronger.  That's why, two blinks of the eye, four children, eight major moves, richer-poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, thirty years later we're still together.

Anyone care to hedge their bets on the next thirty?