An Expert Opinion

Recently, Johnny and I were leaving Target - we were walking back to the car, and this woman, an older lady said to me, "Smile, honey". She commented about how Johnny had this big cheese grin and how I was frowning. Her comment made me chuckle inside, because he is always getting on my case about me not smiling. We can be anywhere, and he'll see that I "don't look happy", and he'll tell me to smile. The thing is, sometimes when I'm not smiling, I just happen to look like I'm frowning. My mother has told similar stories of random people asking about her grin, or a lack thereof. So, I just chalk my little "issue" up to heredity. I just have one of those faces (like my mother) that appears to be un-happy when I'm not smiling. It doesn't mean that I'm actually unhappy, it just means that I'm not smiling.

Now, back to the woman in the Target parking lot. She said, "Young lady", and I answered, "Yes?" - she told me that she is a widow, and that I shouldn't take my husband for granted. She also talked about the shortage of good Black men. Unfortunately, I don't remember all the details of the conversation, but the one part of this woman's talk that really touched me was the fact that she's a widow.

First, I was sad for her; then I was sad for me; then I just felt stupid for not smiling in the first place. But as I listened to the woman, I was near tears - in part because in that moment she saw Johnny's value more clearly than I did, but also because I saw just how important her husband - her Black husband was to her. The love they shared was so important, in fact, that she wanted to make sure random ole' me knew just how lucky I am to have a man - one with joy, and that signature "Johnny grin" in his face.

Those few minutes were like a scene out of a movie - you know, the moment that changes the lead character's life forever. It was really one of the most meaningful moments of my life. I was truly touched, and changed. I hope to have thoughts of that woman and what she said to me years from now, just as a reminder of how precious my marriage is.

The love we share with our spouses is such a blessing, but sometimes we forget to cherish every moment. Sometimes we take our love for granted. I just pray that this woman's story of Living Black Love remain in your minds and hearts forever.