Their Love Lives On

It was the 1950's in Belgium. Having survived the brutalities of war, people were getting back to the daily norms of making a living--and finding love. Louis was a salesman for his family's upscale textile business; Ginette worked her fingers to the bone as a seamstress for her family's tailoring shop. He initially came by for company matters, but his constant showing off  made it clear that his interest in the seamstress was more than materialistic: the first time he'd set eyes on her, he'd fallen in love. She had other plans, however, wanting to marry her "hundredth boyfriend." Her current boyfriend was a man in uniform, someone whom she did not want to replace with this pretentious smooth-talker.

Then one day, Louie the "showman" turned up when she was ill. She decided to take him up on his offer to ride in his Mercedes--just in order to get to the hospital more comfortably than taking a streetcar. During her stay at the hospital, he came to visit her, casually saying he was "in the neighborhood." He asked what he could do for her and she requested that he bring her a book to read. Since there was a bookstore across the street, she was not sure what could be delaying him; but when he returned hours later, she discovered why his search had taken so long. He tossed a book to her entitled, Ik Heb Je Lief, "I Love You."

And that was their start, a love that took them from poverty to living in a castle; from Europe to America; from foreclosing one small home to building another warm home with acreage; from raising three boys to having eight grandchildren. And through the process, they kept their playful relationship. To others, Ginette often protested Louie's antics, yet she privately let him know that she adored him. Their affection was evident to all.

During his final five years, Louie struggled with health problems due to COPD, often requiring hospitalization. Somehow he would pull through each episode with Ginette--always the strong one--rallying by his side. In the end, Ginette was suddenly overtaken by cancer. She lingered in her final days until Louie sang her "their" song and tenderly whispered, "It's OK, Ma. You can go." Having his permission, she could then breathe her last. It only took thirteen days until he joined her.

...6-1-54" Married the 6th of January, 1954

 Engraving: "Ginnette Louis...

Ginette and Louis celebrated 49 years of marriage on earth just prior to their passing, but their love lives on in all who were touched by their complete devotion to one another. Theirs was a love that shines beyond life itself.