LIVING ON LOVE. . . .

SHE MARRIED ROMANCE

As Taff walked down the aisle she met the gaze of her bridegroom who was waiting at the altar for her. They were the perfect couple and they fell in love the first time their eyes locked. They found themselves marrying just a short time later.

As they were reciting all those impossible promises of what they were going to do for one another for the rest of their lives, Taff was thinking that there were some things she would have to change about Chip. For instance she would have to change his eating habits. She made a mental note that he'd have to eat more vegetables. They're not to be regarded as decorations on the mantel. And she'd have to do something about him considering gravy as a beverage.

But they had many things in common too. They knew how to party and have fun. They hated going to the dentist, they loved playing tennis, and Chip considered her to be the best looking redhead in a great pair of jeans. Then Taff heard the words, "I now pronounce you man and wife" and she interpreted that as, "We have lift-off!" Nothing was more sobering and yet more exciting! She married romance!

Now romance is something women like Taff always dream about. How could a man be married to them all these years and not know them? To the naked eye they look like your basic no-nonsense, practical, down-to-earth wife and mother who turns to mush when she receives a cookie press that turns mashed potatoes into rosettes.

But behind that facade beats the heart of a tigress. This is the woman that secretly hopes that men will appear at the door with a bouquet of yellow roses, a bottle of wine, and two plane tickets to Paris.

Then as the years passed by there are so many things between tennis games, running children to different activities, attending church and school functions, and teaching Lamaze classes they wonder how they can survive this frenzy and how have the patience to endure. And somewhere between wearing maternity underwear under flannel pajamas to bed and receiving a new piece of Tupperware for Christmas something is missing . . .spontaneous romance! But then Taff and Chip stop and look back on what it was that made this marriage work. It was the blending of their values, ideas, and talents. That's what made it solid and strong and three wonderful children.

We've come full circle now. Kira, their daughter smiled as Chip nervously took his place next to her. As

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