Bill and Anna Whitehouse: A Long Line of Love

This is Bill and Anna Whitehouse at our wedding in 1983

"Laurie May, I can't wait until that baby is born!" were the words that I used to hear every time I saw my father-in-law just weeks before Jessica's due date (my middle name is Ann, but Laurie May was his nickname for me).  He loved his grand babies, and couldn't wait to hold a new life in his arms.

My father-in-law, Bill Whitehouse, was every bit a man. My mother-in-law says that she has never seen a better looking man than Bill Whitehouse in a pair of blue jeans--and she means it every time she says it! He was a good looking man in a very manly way. He had dark hair and sparkling blue eyes that couldn't possibly go unnoticed. In fact, I was with him a few times when women would comment on how beautiful his eyes were; he would turn all "aw shucks" and just brush off the compliments...those blue eyes only saw one woman, his sweetheart, Anna. 

My husband, his brother, and sisters had the greatest example of what two people are like when they are truly in love. My husband loved waking up early in the morning, hearing the coffee cups clink, and listening to his parents downstairs talking to each other quietly before the rest of the household got up. Knowing his parents enjoyed one another's company and hearing them enjoy conversing with each other laid a wonderful foundation for his security as a child and for our own marriage. All of Bill and Anna's children are great conversationalists. I am thankful for the great example that they gave their children of how a loving couple should communicate.

My mother-in-law has often bragged on how her husband paid attention to her smallest needs and wants. She has often told how she and Bill were watching television and talking about what they would have for dinner. My mother-in-law is an amazing cook, and I'm sure they were both looking forward to the meal later in the day. Anna said to Bill, "I sure wish I had some fordhook lima beans to go with our dinner." She sort of made the comment in passing not really thinking anything of it. A little while later, she heard his pickup truck start up. She wondered where he was going. A short time later Bill came back with a bag of frozen lima beans. Anna's wish was Bill's command, and in return she would do anything for him.

Bill and Anna were openly affectionate with one another.  It's not unusual to see pictures in which she is sitting on his lap, and it wasn't unusual to see him wink at her or to see them hug. I believe that one of the reasons why my husband is such a great husband and dad is because of the affection that he gives me and each of his kids. My husband learned at the feet of his parents how to be an affectionate husband and dad.

I remember when my father-in-law would decide to work on a household project. He was never alone. Anna was always working by his side whether it was remodeling a bathroom or working on the roof or making the back porch screened in. Debi, Keith, Daryl, and Cheryl grew up watching their parents work together and enjoy each other's company while doing so. Through the years, I have been able to watch each of them work alongside their spouse just like their parents did. They were taught by example to support one another in marriage.

April 20th marks 19 years since Bill Whitehouse went to Heaven. He missed seeing Jessica be born by 9 days.  I know he would have loved Jessica's big, brown eyes and blond hair--she would have reminded him of the girl he loved for so many years.  I know he would have been crazy about all the grandkids and now great grandkids that have been born since his passing. I am forever thankful that Bill and Anna Whitehouse had a relationship of love that has been passed down to their kids and now their grandkids.

As I was writing, this song came to mind:

LONG LINE OF LOVE

I bought a beautiful diamond ring
I offered it to the sweetest thing I know, and she said she would take it.
We started making some wedding plans 

She looked at me, and she took my hand and said, "Do you think we can make it?"
I Said,  "My Granddad's still in love with my Grandma."

 I Said, "My Dad still thinks my mom's the sweetest thing he ever saw."

You see I come from a long line of love.
When the times get hard, we don't give up;

 Forever is in my heart and in my blood;

 You see I come from a long line of love.

The years went by and we had a son;
Now he thinks he has found someone for him;

They're planning a wedding.
He called me up on the phone today,
Just to see what I had to say to him
Did I think he was ready?

I said what his grandfather used to say to me;
Its been handed down for ages,

 It runs in our family.

"Son you come from a long line of love;

 When the times get hard, you won't give up.

 Forever is in your heart and in your blood.
Son, You Come From A Long Line of Love;
Yes you Come From A Long Line of Love."

Bill and Anna Whitehouse gave a great thing to their kids and grandkids--a long line of love.