In life, it happens that we meet someone and we instantly know that’s the person we would like to spend our eternity with. However, not everyone is lucky enough to match with their soulmate during the adventure called life, so when you do, make sure you grab that individual firmly and never let go.
Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife of 75 years, Rosalynn Carter, are the perfect proof that true love does exist. Their love story resembles a fairytale.
Rosalynn’s family lived next to Jimmy’s and she was a very good friend with his sister. She remembers that Jimmy’s sister had a photo of him on the wall and she fell in love with that photo showing young Jimmy wearing his uniform.
During a visit of his hometown from the Naval Academy, Jimmy laid eyes on Rosalynn and immediately knew she was the one. Speaking to People, the former president said: “She was beautiful and innocent, and there was a resonance.” They started dating but didn’t marry until she turned 18 because she made a promise to her dying father that she won’t marry before finishing school.
During the first years of marriage, the couple constantly moved places because Jimmy was often deployed at different locations. However, Rosalynn didn’t mind that. In fact, she loved being on the move with him and when he made the decision to give up his career in the Navy, she wasn’t glad. “I had been self-sufficient and independent from my mother and Jimmy’s mother,” she told The New York Times.
Being married for so many years must be a challenge, but the Carters don’t see it that way. They have always been by each other’s side; during presidency and while he battled cancer. Speaking of the secret to a long and happy marriage, both Rosalynn and Jimmy say that they have never went to bed angry at one another and know how to enjoy the simple things that many take for granted, like cherishing each other’s company.
“We’ve just grown closer and closer together,” Jimmy said.
According to the oldest living U.S. president, there are only two things necessary to ensure a happy and long marriage: “First of all, choose the right person to marry,” Jimmy told ABC’s Good Morning America. “And every night, we try to make sure we’re completely reconciled from all the arguments during the day.”
In a 2014 interview, he revealed that there is a phrase he tells his wife every single day, ‘I love you the goodest.’
“That’s what my mother and daddy used to say back and forth, and I picked it up with Rosa.” The phrase, ILYTG, became such a significant part of their lives together that Jimmy had it engraved on a compact he presented to Rosalynn and even their children use it very often. “Now all our children do the same thing – ILYTG on the phone or in emails. They generally just put the initials,” he said. “And sometimes they change the initials and make you guess what they’re talking about.”
The two share a lot of interests together, like bird watching and helping the community through the organization Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for people in need.
They also give each other the space to do the things that fulfill them. “Jimmy and I are always looking for things to do together.” Rosalynn told CBS42. “Each [person] should have some space. That’s really important.”
It’s impossible not to love these two. We wish them more happy and healthy years together.
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