Home > Snellville.Talk > Archives > 2008 > April > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhen love begins with lemons …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Becky Stein / Special
The recently reopened Chick-fil-A restaurant in Snellville hosted a 70th wedding anniversary party for Nelson and Flo McBride, two area residents and regulars at the restaurant. The McBrides were joined by their great grandaughter Macy Miller and 80 to 100 of their closest friends.
Ahhh Spring! The season of flowers, young romance, proms.
If you can get past the pollen you might find — as they say — “love is in the air. ”
So here’s a true love story— one that started with lemons. It has lasted more than 70 years.
Nelson McBride, 91, and his wife, Flo, 89, have lived in a brick ranch home in Snellville f or 21 years. (They spent 20 years before that in a home on U.S. 78 and 15 before that in DeKalb County.)
If you noticed a crowd Saturday at Snellville’s Chick-fil-A on U.S. 78, it was friends and family of the McBrides celebrating the couple’s 70th wedding anniversary - yes, 70th!
Nelson and Flo are regulars at the restaurant - so much so that everyone knows their designated booth, which was kept during a recent renovation of the restaurant. Restaurant operator Brad Spratte even hung a wall rack near the booth so Nelson would have a place to hang his hat. The party was Spratte’s idea and was given courtesy of the restaurant.
But back to the story.
It was September 1937. Nelson was a young man working at Curtiss Printing Co. in downtown Atlanta. Flo was young and single and hired as a proofreader — a job that required she read out loud. After a time, her voice got scratchy and her throat hurt.
She had heard that lemons would help and mentioned it to her supervisor. Nelson was asked to hop on his bicycle and pedal to the store for lemons.
Flo says she was always attracted by Nelson’s “happy disposition.”
“I worked on the second floor and I would see him. He was always laughing and carrying on a bunch of foolishness. And he sang all the time.”
Nelson, who is still quick to smile and laugh, said their first date was a double date, arranged because one of his friends wanted to go out with a friend of Flo’s. The friends didn’t hit it off, but Nelson and Flo did.
“The way he proposed was that if I could make us live on $15 a week, we’d get married,” Flo said. They married March 19, 1938, at the courthouse in Lawrenceville. But they kept their marriage a secret for more than three months, living separately until they could save money for a tiny apartment. The world had been through the Great Depression, after all.
The McBrides had five children — four sons and a daughter. Nelson continued at Curtiss Printing Co. as a purchasing agent until a heart attack in 1977 left him unable to work. Flo worked in the lunchroom at Indian Creek Elementary School in DeKalb County. Today they have 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The best times were the births of their children, Flo said. And they’ve had great friends all along the way. The worst times were when they lost loved ones, particularly the 1981 death of their middle son due to a brain aneurysm.
“There’s nothing, nothing, nothing that compares to losing a child,” she said. “A part of you is gone.”
These days, the McBrides enjoy going out to eat, spending time with friends and going to their church, White Oak Baptist on Martin Nash Road. (They also spend a lot of time going to doctors, too, Flo said, laughing.)
So for the obvious question: What’s the secret to a long marriage?
“It’s no secret of mine,” she said. “ … If you put God first in your life, everything else falls into place.”
Flo says she and Nelson never argued over or kept secrets about money, though they always have had to live frugally and budget carefully.
But they have occasionally disagreed, as she thinks most couples do.
“Anybody who says ‘we never had a cross word,’ well, I think that’s a bunch of bull.” she said.
Those who meet the McBrides might add a couple of other observations: they laugh — a lot — and are interested in other people. They stay active. And Nelson was quick to remember the details of when they started dating and how they met!
“They are a very special couple,” Spratte said. “They are a very loving couple … and they are fun to be around.”
And it all started with lemons.
Are there secrets to long marriages? What’s yours?
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Susan Gast
Comments
By Rick Rantamaki
April 17, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
The secret to a long marriage: TiVo
By Darla
April 17, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
What a lovely article, and what nice people. I love that Chik FilA kept their original booth.
Darla Dixon
By David/Debbie Formento
April 18, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Hi Susan, We always enjoy your articles. Thought you might like to know about a response we sent to the Beth Warren April 15 write up - since you write about Snellville.
Hello Beth Warren, AJC bwarren@ajc.com
My Wife, Mother-In-Law and I reside and own a business in Snellville and were three of the 18 Snellville attendees at the April 14th city counsel meeting and three of the sneers, as you called it in your title. Allow me to start with stating that a better headline might have been:
Snellville Residents call it more of Jerry’s Dog & Pony Show!The sneers were the direct reaction to an orchestrated attempt by our Mayor to strike back at efforts made by Mayor Pro Tem Warren Auld and the written opinion released by State Attorney General Thurbert Baker, concluding that the mayor should not also act as the city manager. A resident of Snellville doesn’t need to be the brightest light on the porch to see that last night’s events that unfolded at the Snellville City Council Meeting were lacking in merit and sincerity, to do the right thing by our Mayor. Once again you along with the residents of Snellville were able to view the arrogance and inability to promote a cohesive council by Jerry.
For the good of the residents of Snellville, the image of a better Snellville and respect for the position that he holds, Jerry, as Major and leader of our city should have brought the city manager issue to the table at the council’s pre-meeting session. Perhaps, by asking what recommendations each council member had for an interim city manager along with his recommendation. That may have led to an agreement, by the council members, that further discussion was necessary and the Joke, as one resident called it, would not have occurred.
I’m disappointed that you didn’t report any of Councilwoman Kelly Kautz’s comments, which were quite lengthy and of merit, as so many of the residents in attendance shared in those same feelings of shame and disappointment with our council. Perhaps your article might have spotlighted the leadership, or lack of leadership present in Snellville.
I can assure you that the residents of Snellville elected this Council and Major to represent Snellville in a positive cohesive manner. Is last night’s leadership by our Mayor what we envisioned? I Think Not!
Concerned Snellville Residents, David & Debbie Formento, 770-982-5837
By Itshopeless
April 18, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
To be happy at marriage? It takes a few things and some understanding. Know this up front:
The wild n crazy trapeze sex that you had while dating will end immediately following the ceremony. Understand this and everything will be cool.
Drink a lot. Drink with your guy friends. Work in the yard. Make a man room.
She is always right. Do it her way. Let her way fail, show her, then do it the right way. This must happen everytime.
Now, now kick yourself for having a girlfriend all of the way through highschool. Now kick yourself for having a girlfriend all of the way through college. Now, kick yourself for not being a complete slut dirtbag back in those days. Highschool and college relationships never work out so why not be a dirtbag. To all of you college people: make everyday like spring break or an episode of girls gone wild.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I did.
By JJ
April 18, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
That is a very sweet story. With the divorce rate rising every year, it’s nice to hear some people stick it out for the long run.
Congratulations!!!!
By Bear
April 18, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
People are not disposable. Divorce is probably not going to get you into heaven, even if your wife had it comin’ for letting herself get so fat and spending all that money at the grocery store, or just being too human, and beside, this other woman needs me.
Long marriage? Easy: accept death, and make your wife your life.
I cant wait till judgement day so all the big shot divorce’s (accent grave), (pun intended), will get to explain how they deserved so much better than the cow they married under duress and too young and that’s not me, and I’d do it all over again the same, and I made the right decision, and etc etc etc.
Go head. Make my eternity.
Punks.
By One
April 18, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Ooohhh, there’s some bitter men out there. Why not just stay single?? Geesh…………and men always say women are bitter……Mr. Pot calling Mr. Kettle! lol
It’s simple, if marriage is “prison”, or “death”, or the end of “trapeze sex”, then by all means, DON’T MARRY!!!
By Dave
April 18, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Seperate bedrooms and….. CHEAT!!! If caught…always always deny..even if they have pictures!!!
By lovelyliz
April 18, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
I have never been married, but from what I’ve observed, what make a long sucessful marriage is different for each couple.
When I was in the military, which has a higher than average divorce rate, I knew successful couples for whom the separation of multiple deployments actually worked for their relationship, something which destroys many marriages.
I’ve know couples who had to spend every minute of their lives together and other whose relationships flounders under those constraints.
I’ve known couples who would live near in-laws because of their interference at the same time others thrived living practically in the same house.
It’s one thing to take advice and to learn from the mistakes of others, but couples must forge their own path together. I think one of the problems that couples have is that they try to make it work the way others have rather than figuring it out for themselves.
By Jeff
April 18, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Long marriage? Simple. You both have to make an effort and want it. The key is to appreciate the effort that the other is making. It has to come from both sides or it won’t work. Yes she has her faults but so do you. You have to want each other so much that you almost don’t even see the faults. You can understand that they are there, but you really don’t even realize it. It’s about the connection and the effort. As some people say; just make it happen and it will happen.
By Donna P.
April 18, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
In my twelve married years, I have learned how to “fight”. When me and my husband argue, we don’t say anything that would be considered below the belt and would cause regrets/grudges later. My advice to all the newlyweds is to learn how to communicate and how to speak up for yourself (both men and women). Marriage is a long-term commitment and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. Also, my husband and I are friends. We enjoy each other’s company. I know it may sound silly but you have to like each other in the long run.
By Donna P.
April 18, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
In my twelve married years, I have learned how to “fight”. When me and my husband argue, we don’t say anything that would be considered below the belt and would cause regrets/grudges later. My advice to all the newlyweds is to learn how to communicate and how to speak up for yourself (both men and women). Marriage is a long-term commitment and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. Also, my husband and I are friends. We enjoy each other’s company. I know it may sound silly but you have to like each other in the long run.
By Political Foreskin
April 18, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Marriage is for amateurs. No pros allowed. Best advice: always look like you’re doing something, dont ever get caught watching tv or being a sofa spud, always have a tax form or a lawn mower blade and a file, or a saw in your hand at all times.
If not, you’re finished.
By Charles
April 18, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I think Mrs. Flo Mc Bride has got it right, “It’s no secret of mine,” she said. “ … If you put God first in your life, everything else falls into place.”
Of course that’s easily said than done. Too many of us are too smart, too educated, too refined to live our lives completely trusting in God.
Twenty six years ago, a pretty young lady waited at a traffic light just outside the doors of Georgia State University’s Kell Hall, Ivy Street side, presently Peachtree Center Avenue. I had recently graduated from college and was working to earn money while attending graduate school. She and I were headed toward the C & S bank just across the street, and the long bank line was the perfect opportunity to seek her opinion on a classroom topic; predestination.
In a nutshell, Patricia believed that life is already predetermined… And of course yours truly was an ardent, staunch, supporter of free will…
After twenty four years of a fulfilling marriage and a little trial and error, I have come to support my wife’s position and that of Mrs. Flo McBride. Honesty, forgiveness …and above all putting God first in our lives, presto, everything else will fall into place. But that’s easily said than done.
By Itsagodthing
April 18, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Mrs. McBride definitely knows the key…God first. When you love God, you want to be a better wife, mother, friend, etc. Same goes for you men, if you love your wife like Christ loved the church, how can your marriage fail? Get your spiritual life in check and everything else falls into place. It is a wonderful thing to share your life with someone you truly love. And obviously a miserable thing to be in a loveless marriage as stated by the men posting earlier!
By Horton
April 18, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Don’t let resentment build up…you have to talk it out. Communication is key. So is friendship and respect.
And for those of you bitter, deprived individuals who think great sex doesn’t last past the honeymoon: we’ve been married 27 years, and we still have frequent, headboard-banging, sweat-inducing “trapeze sex” that’s so good when we’re done the entire neighborhood smokes a cigarette.
By JJ
April 18, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Horton That’s funny, the whole neighborhood smokes….ha ha ha….
By One
April 18, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
That’s what I’m talking about Horton!!!!! If I ever marry, it will definitely ONLY be to a man who can go the distance (you know y’all tend to poop out much earlier/sooner than women)! To me, that’s when the best sex begins (marriage). Up until that point, the most you’ll get from me (once we get to that point) is samples, not the whole “let your hair down, curl up your toes and howl at the moon” sex, that’s for hubby!!!!
By David Formento
April 19, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Here We Go Again Beth Warren has done it again! April 18, 2008 Snellville article is just chuck full of Sensationalism to Create the circus atmosphere of Snellville. A liar, a bully, a lush, a hypocrite, a puppet and an adulterer, is how she starts Friday’s article. Those titles didn’t come from Snellville’s most recent City Council Meeting on Monday April 14, 2008 so one can only assume that she must have had to drag the bottom of the barrel of past articles to get the lead-in for today’s article, because she certainly isn’t reporting on current events in Snellville. As a matter of fact this article is just brimming over with facts from the past, messaged to appear current, mixed in with a few facts that ACTUALLY happened at the last Council Meeting and some facts that are incorrect from the same meeting. Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer didn’t whip his head around to face Mayor Pro Tem Warren Auld, belting out: “Are you calling me a liar?” That was a response to Councilman Robert Jenkins. City Councilwoman Kelly Kautz never used the word CRONY when she said she felt the Mayor was trying to bring Brett Harrell on board. PAY ATTENTION Snellville residents because the reporting of the issues about Snellville are being twisted and mis-stated all for sensational journalism and to promote further dissention between the Snellville City Council Members, for future AJC articles.
By Wally
April 19, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Does Snellville have a tourist welcome center?
By David/Debbie
April 20, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Wally, sorry we don’t have a WELCOME center in Snellville. Just a very unorganized city government. Come to the council meeting on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. see how Welcome you feel. David & Debbie
By Mark
April 21, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
The secret to a long marriage? Don’t have kids.
By BobG
April 24, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
It’s all the council and Emmett Clower’s fault.