A New Story: Final

A wedding date was picked and the planning began.  There was much excitement in the office as coworkers discussed upcoming events.  Through all the fuss, Julie noticed Marsha had been reclusive.  It was well known in the office, her husband had left and the two of them were trying to save the marriage. This had to be an embarrassment to such a proud woman.  Marsha stayed in the cubicle by herself for months.  At first, Julie was happy not to see her.  She was certain Marsha had taken the card Marcus left for her.  Not dealing with her manipulating ways made life easier at work.

Eventually, Marsha began to make her rounds about the office.  Then Julie began to notice a change.  The arrogance that once filled Marsha’s demeanor disappeared.  It was replaced with peace.  She still referred to everyone as “Darlin’” but it was no longer used to condescend.  It was five months later when Julie was certain Marsha was a new woman. 

On that day, the office celebrated Marsha’s 20^th anniversary with the company during the last hour of the work day.  There was cake, punch and balloons.  Marsha was humbled by the attention.  Her husband, Bob, attended the festivities.  Few had met Bob before but it was obvious he was crazy about his wife.  He was attentive to her but made sure the spotlight remained on his spouse. 

As clean up was proceeding after the party, Bob approached Marcus saying, “I understand you and Julie are getting married in a few months.”

“Yes, we are.”

“Are you ready?”

“The plans are set but a lot of work still needs to be done.” 

“If you don’t mind, Marsha and I would like a few minutes with you and Juile.”

Confused, Marcus replied, “Okay, sure.”

A few minutes later, with the office mostly empty, Marsha and Julie approached.  Still a woman who likes to take charge, Marsha began, “Your special day will be here before you know it.  We want the two of you to avoid the pitfalls that nearly did us in.” 

Smiling, Bob continued, “Life is great when you’re in love but it also makes you stupid.  Love gives you tunnel vision and you can miss problems comin’ your way.  Even when problems come, you don’t always know what to do about ‘em.  We just don’t want you to end up the way too many marriages do.  We’re lucky.  We realized what we once had and wanted it back.  We’re rewritin’ our story.  Well, I guess we are writin’ a new, happier chapter.  But you guys are writin’ a new story.  This is your story.  As long as you both are writin’ the same story, things will work.  It’s when one of you stops writin’, or starts writin’ your own story, things start going wrong.” 

Marcus and Julie saw the genuineness in their eyes and felt conviction in their tones and sought premarital counseling.  This helped them understand pitfalls of relationships.  After they were married, they kept open lines of communication with each other.  They also sought counsel from their parents and from Bob and Marsha when the inevitable problems of life appeared.  They were happy to add Bob and Marsha to their story.