"She & Him"
"A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2013."
She: Sitting at an outdoor table setting on top of a lookout in the coastal breeze, she tried to secure her messy bun with bobby pins as loose strands of chestnut hair quivered with the wind.
Him: The moment before he pursed his lips to whistle for his puppy. He had secretly slid on her sunglasses without her noticing until after she took his picture. It was a very bright day on top of the lookout.
I sometimes wonder what others might think when they see us. We usually walk side by side, his arm linked around my waist and my hand securely supporting him in an odd key-lock fashion. We naturally walk in step, always have done. The first time we went to a café together we ordered exactly the same breakfast, including the way our eggs were poached.
We're the same height, down to the centimetre and we often find the same things funny when we people watch: a dog's walk, a baby's giggle, a lady's psychedelic 70s fashion, a skinny boy with a giant lollipop fuzzy afro. On Sunday it was watching a very old man attempt to focus as he reverse parked with his wife nagging at him about crashing.
'Careful George! You nearly bumped that car! Do you want me to get out to direct you?!'.
'Stay there Betty, I've nearly got it. You're not helping dear.'
I wonder how many years George and Betty have been through this ritual on their Sunday mornings; George hunched over the steering wheel, his hat kept out of his eyes by his large-rimmed glasses and Betty squinting into her side mirror under a crop of tight cotton candy coloured curls. It may have taken George three or so swings to get it right but as soon as he perfected it, he stepped out from the driver's seat, walked around to Betty's side and opened the door for her. They then toddled off up the shady path under the Moreton Bay fig trees, hand in hand. Decades of love and patience appeared to be their thing.
Byron and I have been together for two years, the blink of an eye in comparison.
For now finding the beauty and humour in what surrounds us is our thing.
Bella xx
I love these portraits of you two! You're a gorgeous couple. I can just imagine the two of you strolling side-by-side, laughing at lollipop-fro and enjoying each others company.
ReplyDeleteI adore this little anecdote about George & Betty too - I guess that's the kind of love and dedication we all strive for in our relationships.
Sar xx
We were actually seated at sweet little cafe called Treeo sipping glasses of water when we saw the afro boy and Byron laughed so hard, water came out of his nose!
DeleteYou're right though Sar, love and dedication in our relationship something we strive for too.
Hows' your weekend?
Bel xx
Your words seem to paint the picture so effortlessly. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Sometimes I set out to write a short post but my fingers dance away from me because I want to paint a picture with words, not just photographs :)
DeleteBella xx
I love the overheard conversation between the old people- I adore elderly couples. I think it's sad that in our current world of divorces these sorts of scenes may become more rare. x
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Alice, older couples intrigue me. I wonder how long they've been together and how much they've seen. It's very special to witness that kind of love.
DeleteBella xx
I love this. I can only hope that one day I will be Betty and my other will be George and we will nag cause it means we are in love. Beautiful photo's and I am so glad I came to visit cause I want to read more. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Elizabeth.
DeleteI read your comment to Byron and stated, 'See, it's ok that I nag sometimes'. He replied, 'Ok dear' :)
I'm just popping over to check out your blog now :)
Bella xx
Beautiful! I really like your blog!
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance, please check out and follow my blog!
typographievintage.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Elizabeth