Valentine's Day 1998
On Valentine's Day in 1998, Dave asked me to be his wife. I said "yes" of course! And that set the stage for 11 years (and counting!) of marriage and three beautiful children. I oftentimes forget that our marriage is not conventional in the sense that we're different races. To us, our marriage is normal - very normal! It's home, work, the kids, just the beautiful ebb and flow of ordinary, everyday life. Most people would assume that being an interracial couple would present numerous cultural obstacles that would strain a relationship. But for us, that hasn't been the case. We both pretty much grew up in similar "cultures" - both from hardworking, two parent, Christian homes. The only difference being Dave's family is originally from up North, while my family has deep Southern roots. We've been very fortunate to find acceptance of our marriage. Some people express positive support, commenting on how beautiful our children are. But for most, it's a non-issue. Which is fine by me! Because it's a non-issue for us as well.
Richard & Mildred Loving
But life wasn't always easy for interracial couples in this country. In July 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving were arrested during a nighttime raid of their Virginia home. Their crime, being married - Richard was white and Mildred was black and Native American. The couple was jailed, convicted of felonies and banished from the state of Virginia. Exiled to Washington DC, the couple longed to return to their home and families back in Virginia. With assistance from the ACLU, the couple took their case all the way to the Supreme Court. In June 1967, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Lovings in their case against the State of Virginia. As a result of the Supreme Court decision, sixteen states were ordered to overturn their bans on interracial marriage.
Tonight at 9 PM EST, HBO will air a documentary about Richard and Mildred entitled "The Loving Story". This is one of those times I wish we hadn't canceled our HBO! A great story of love on this day devoted to love.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Mary Ellen
What a wonderful story! Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful story!I'm Norwegian,lived one year in Montgomery.AL.And what a year,some people down there still live in the 60's...Saw some scary Things,I sometimes could not blive what I heard and saw...In 2012 It should not be nessesery to explain that it is no difference to be married to a Black or a White man,but you live in USA..I live in Europe,Montgomery thought me it's a HUGE difference.It's a different world.In case somone wonder my skin is fair (ok,White)my houseband the same,but to be honest skin Colour does not matter at all.Love does!Happy Valentine!
ReplyDeleteLove Wendy
"skin Colour does not matter at all.Love does!"
ReplyDeleteYou're right Wendy! Happy Valentine's Day!
Mary Ellen
What a sweet story and so nice to learn more about you. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteYou both certainly make a lovely couple, indeed! This was a beautiful tribute to the love of your husband as well as your marriage.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy reading about Mr. and Mrs. Loving. Several years ago, when I had cable TV, someone did a movie version of their life that I watched. It was one of my favorite movies. I wish that I could find it now.
Blessings to you, Mary Ellen! :)
-Mara
Thank you Renee and Mara!
ReplyDeleteThanks Daisha!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this Valentine's Day post. I, too, am part of an interracial marriage. Although we were raised with the same value system, my husband is St Lucian, so we do sometimes think we are at odds about something. Once we sit down and talk about it, we realize that we still are in agreement although we have different ways of getting to the point.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is Mexican Hispanic, Mexican Catholic that grew up in a household with 2 parents whom loved each other.
ReplyDeleteMe...African American with a NYC raised father and a Southern Upper Income mother who fought constantly and than divorced.
I do see the differences and embrace them everyday. Our son refers to himself as a mutt. He loves that he comes from such a diverse and loving household.
I thank the Lovings for their courage so that we could be legally married.