Why I Am Older Than My Husband
Are you razzed for being the older spouse? Find solace in this semi-true story about angels, growth, and true love.
Candy hearts by Laura Ockel on Unsplash.
My husband and I had moved to Florida four months earlier and meeting new people.
"She's older than me," my husband told a new friend at a recent party.
"By only six months," I responded. Over the years, this had become a familiar conversation. But I have always had a deep-seated belief about why he was the younger one. Here's how my imagination goes.
***
Anita was born in Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Her guardian angel, we'll call her Belle, radiated with joy. Belle was assigned to guide and protect Anita.
(Are you still with me when I introduced the guardian angel? Growing up, I learned we all are born with a guardian angel. Astonishing to me is how many people believe in angels. Nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. adults, according to a 2023 AP-NORC poll, believe in angels. So, I'll go on.)
On Anita’s birth date, Belle showered her with gifts of love and grace while scouring the world for her true love.
"We have a problem," Belle confessed to her dearest friend, Angel of Love. I haven’t found Anita's true love."
"Leave it to me," Angel of Love assured Belle. And off she went, leaving Belle to tend to baby Anita.
Later, Angel of Love pulled Belle to her side. "Look, see this family?"
Belle looked at the scene. "I don't see an infant," Belle said.
"The baby hasn't been born yet."
"The couple is older.” Belle was still determining. “The kids are grown."
Angel of Love sensed Belle's uncertainty but was so confident; this was the home of Anita's true love.
"Are the parents ready to have a baby at this stage?" Belle asked. Belle wanted the best for Anita but also for everyone involved.
"Too late," Angel of Love responded. "The mom is already pregnant."
"Plus," Angel of Love added, "true love is good for all involved."
"Oh," Belle said. "When will the baby be born?"
"In six months. The baby will be named Chris."
Belle had confidence in Angel of Love and left to tend to Anita.
Years later, Angel of Love noted an excited Belle.
"She's in love," Belle said.
Angel of Love was excited, too. The day had finally arrived!
"His name is Danny," Belle added, happy to see the day had arrived also.
"No, his name is Chris," Angel of Love responded. Uh, oh, this was not supposed to happen.
Now, Belle worried, too. What happened to true love?
"Free will," they both said in unison. “She has free will." The angels knew the importance of free will. She could choose anyone she wanted. Free will was a divine gift, but people's choices weren't always in their best interest.
The angels went to see Divine Mother.
"This is wonderful news," Divine Mother said as the angels talked to her all at once. Her reaction confused the angels. Divine Mother explained this was first love, not true love.
"Oh," Belle said.
"What's wrong?" Divine Mother asked.
"Look how happy she is with him." They all looked at the scene of first love displayed. "She'll cry when it's over."
"I know," Divine Mother said. "But, she'll learn too."
From then on, Angel of Love occasionally checked up on Belle. Anita had already met Chris, her true love, so Angel of Love was surprised one day by Belle’s pronouncement.
"They broke up."
"What? That wasn't supposed to happen," Angel of Love said.
"Free will," they once again said in unison.
The angels went back to revisit Divine Mother.
"This is wonderful news," Divine Mother said, looking at the distressed angels. Not waiting for their responses, she kindly offered:
"True love is deep, grown, rooted, and is not easily dismissed. Their love grows as they overcome. They'll learn this soon enough."
And, so it was.
The internal nudge of Anita's heart had directed her back to exactly where she needed and wanted to be.
Freely.
***
This is why I am older than my spouse. My story may sound a tad self-serving, but since I am the oldest, I am allowed this indulgence.
If you are occasionally razzed for being the older spouse, feel free to customize my story in conversation. It'll be okay; recall that 70% of U.S. adults believe in angels, while a 2022 CBS news poll says 86% of Americans believe in true love.