Motorcycle Marriage

My absolute favorite season of all our years together,

is the motorcycle season.

You logged thousands and thousands of miles through a dozen states

on a half dozen bikes with this scared, brave farm girl hanging on behind you.

We met good folks who ride, who used to ride, and who want to ride.

The only questions were "Where ya been? Where ya goin'? How d'ya like that Harley?"

You got me safely through wind, rain, hail, heat and cold;

 we snuggled in tents, spit bathed in convenience stores, and cooked corn on the motor.

You walked around with scripture passages taped on the back of your helmet,

so I could memorize on the way.

You helped me remember crazy stuff that passed through my brain,

so I could write it down when we stopped.

You took me out of my comfort zone

and gave me a chance be someone else.

Crazy as it was --- I loved it!

I love you, too.

Thanks for the memories.

Thanks for the adventures.

Happy Anniversary!

EVERYTHING I KNOW 

ABOUT MARRIAGE

 I LEARNED ON A MOTORCYCLE

·       LEAN TOGETHER INTO CURVES – IF ONE RIDER LEANS THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND CRASH.  THERE ARE MANY UNEXPECTED CURVES IN LIFE.  LEAN TOGETHER.

·       USE THE “FAST FOOD DRIVE-IN WINDOW METHOD OF COMMUNICATION” – SPEAK CLEARLY, USE AS FEW WORDS AS POSSIBLE, REPEAT WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM YOUR PARTNER TO INSURE YOU UNDERSTAND.

·       PACK LIGHT – KEEP IT SIMPLE.  PAST AND PRESENT BAGGAGE CAN SLOW THE RIDE AND EVEN CHANGE YOUR DESTINATION.

·       HAVE A COMMON DESTINATION – YOU WON’T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT A GOAL.  AND IF YOU DON’T AGREE ON WHERE TO GO, YOU’LL NEVER GET ANYWHERE.

·       STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES – OR WILDFLOWERS, RAIN-SHOWERS, PINE TREES.  DON’T BE SO SET ON YOUR FINAL DESTINATION THAT YOU CANNOT ENJOY THE PRESENT.

·       DON’T OVERREACT – WHEN YOU GET A BUG IN YOUR FACE YOU CAN’T SCREAM, FLAIL YOUR ARMS AND STOMP.  BE CALM.  SMALL IRRITATIONS ARE NOT LIFE CHANGING, BUT COULD BE IF YOU OVERREACT.

·       KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT – THE MORE YOU TALK, THE BIGGER THE CHANCE OF EATING A BUG.

·       TELL YOUR PARTNER YOUR PROBLEMS, NOT THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD – THEY CAN’T CHANGE A THING OR HELP YOU SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

·       TRUST YOUR PARTNER – DEPEND ON HIS SKILL AND EXPERIENCE.  HE DOES NOT LIKE BUMPS ANY MORE THAN YOU DO.

·       ENJOY THE REWARDS – WHEN YOU ARE HOT AND TIRED FROM THE JOURNEY, KNOW THAT RELIEF IS AHEAD.  SOMETIMES, THE ONLY REWARD WE NEED IS JUST A LITTLE RELIEF.

INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT &  HARLEY DAVIDSON

RECORDED BY TED & RENEE FLOYD

AUGUST 28, 1999