Life Long Love: Meet the Smiths

Welcome back to our series on Life Long Love. (#3L) We are so grateful for the truth and insights that Clyde and Linda Smith have shared with us below. We love the way they connect with their faith every day, and even use spiritual rituals/practices at home. We admire their generosity. This is a couple that loves to give gifts to one another, and they love to serve others! Enjoy the interview below.

How many years have you been married and how old were you when you got married?

We have been married 47 years.

Where & how did the two of you meet?

Clyde and my brother were best friends.

What first attracted you to one another?

(Clyde) "Her legs”

(Linda) "I liked his red Afro"

We all have ideas about how marriage is supposed to be when we say our wedding vows. What was one of the first challenges you encountered that challenged your ideas of what marriage was supposed to be?

"Clyde was in the Navy and had to go to Norfolk, VA. We were living in Washington, DC at the time. It was difficult to be apart because of Clyde being on a ship. I (Linda) had a huge learning curve with paying bills and living away from my family for the first time..”

What has helped you stay together? What's your secret?

"God! He taught us there was no quitting."

Do you pray together? Or have other faith activities?

"We pray together every day along with Communion."

Do you date? How do you play together? How has that changed during your years together?

"We date occasionally, we joke around. We don’t date as much as we used to, but we alternate purchasing dinner for each other on Fridays.”

What do you call your in-laws?

“Our in-laws have passed away.”

How do you KNOW your spouse loves you? How do you let your spouse know you love them?

“We surprise one another from time to time with little gifts, cards, flowers. We listen when the other talks about something and that helps us to go and find that little thing the other one has talked about. We also tell each other with words.”

Share a nugget of wisdom you wish you could give to your younger selves.

“Plan retirement early, all the shiny new things aren’t really worth it. Tithe, and become debt free as soon as possible.”

What do you do on a regular basis for your marriage?

“We talk to each other, we hang out together and he takes me for rides in his Chevelle. We also love helping people.”

We’ll be featuring another Life Long Love (#3L) couple next month. In the meantime, check out our shop for a rich assortment of dating ideas.