Hi Folks
July used to a month my wife and i looked forward to.We were married in July.
Many years ago there was a young lad moved from his home town and ended up in a place where he spent most of his time alone.
One day girl from next door asked the lad if he would like to go to a birthday party. Her best friend was having a big party for her 13 th birthday.
Young fella politley declined, Thinking he was being asked because the girl kind of felt sorry for him..
Few days later same girl knocked on the door and said my friend really wants you to attend her party. So I accepted the invite.
Birthday girl was Called June, Young Slim blonde with striking blue eyes.
At the party postman knock was played. Junes and my name were drawn out of the hat.
From that first kiss we stayed together until the day she died 53 years later laid in my arms.June died two days before our 54th wedding anniversary.
First day of July brings on a month that is filled with dread these days instead of happy memories.
I will try to focus on all the happy times we had together.
The one i reflect on with my a smile on my face happened many years after we were married.
We were chatting about life in general and what fate has in store for us.
I said , I wonder if we would have got together if our names hadnt been drawn out of that hat when postmans knock was played ?.
Junes reply was , You think yor name was drawn out by chance ?.
DUPED 
All those years and i never knew the fix was in .
What a story, and what a good looking couple. I’m sorry to hear she’s gone, but it’s great that you were together so long. Even if it was rigged 
Thank you
She kept stum about the fix for years .
Hi @gravel what a lovely story and sounds like you had lots of fun together. Like you say a sad time but also a time where you can look back and reflect on all the happy memories you made over the 53 years you had together. I guess the fates played their part all those years (even if it had a helping hand). June was obviously determined to bag her man 
Fascinating timeline of companionship in photos. It’s interesting to see you both at different stages of growth and how change occurs. So the postman never knocked twice, only once.
Thank you
Im the stage in life where i try to look back on the good memories and dont give the bad ones time of day.
When June had her mind set on a thing she made sure it happened
I dont suppose many couples have the history June and I had.Feels strange to look back in pictures etc.
@Gravel , my condolences. My mother died recently too because of her stroke. I know what you are going through., albeit in different circumstances. As others have said, focus on happy times.
Sorry to hear that.
Grief is something we never get over.Some days are better than others but the loss is always there.
Agree. I lost my darling Len after 30+ years together, due to lung cancer. Quite a few years have gone by, never been able to relate to anyone on that level, He was a drummer, party loving animal, always up for the craic, always told me just to be myself. I still miss him, he would have told me to stare my stroke in the face and keep on keeping on . So I do xx
I know June would say the same to me,She was known locally as THE CAFE QUEEN-she loved to pop into local cafes and chat with folk.I have no doubt she would be doing that right now if the boot was on the other foot.
We were kind of like the odd couple, She was very outgoing and loved to be among people. im the exact opposite , reserved and awkward in a crowd sort of thing.
@Gravel , cheers for that. You’re right, I like you have good days and bad days. More bad than good lately in all honesty. As I’ve been told, the loss will always be there. But, I also think of the good times and the laughs. From what I’ve read, your wife sounds like good craic. I wished I met her. Anyway, I hope your OK.