It was just four words but the effect was, and has been, long-lasting.
You see, I would set off on my gearless bicycle from the country town where I lived to make the journey to Inna and Husband’s dairy farm outside the next town – every morning, rain or shine. It was a good 15 kilometres but, even when my dad and mother offered me a lift, I would usually refuse as I was rather fiercely independent. Sometimes it was a ghastly journey of being rained on, attacked by magpies, or belted with 40 degree heat, but my pedalling was fuelled by such wonderful anticipation that I became very fast and, most mornings, I arrived within the hour right in time to start the breakfast ritual with Inna.
I was a very unselfconscious teenager and had never worn makeup, and I had absolutely no fashion sense, so I would arrive unembarrassed at my dishevelment and, if Inna said I were late, I would answer her ferocity with a huge grin and set to work. I never took charge; I always deferred to her instructions so, mostly, breakfast was a smooth exercise.
But sometimes she would say little hinty things to me like, “You’d be quite pretty if you wore appropriate clothes.” She would point at my Indian skirt and thongs with distaste. Or, “Perhaps you could freshen up in the bathroom before the men come in – comb your hair?” Sometimes she would be at a loss and occasionally I would hear her on the phone to someone saying, “Oh dear me, the girl is hopeless!”
So it wasn’t until Husband grabbed a bit of bacon from the frypan one morning, his shoulder brushing mine unintentionally, then, as he was heading to the dining room, said, over his shoulder, “You should wear lipstick” that I began to alter myself. I began to wear lipstick, much to my younger brothers’ derision.
My parents were nonplussed.
Inna was impressed.
Husband didn’t appear to notice.
jmgoyder 
Haha, what a compliment on your husband’s part! Quite gruff, huh?
Very gruff!
I’m enjoying your Love Story, Julie. You bring everything to life and it’s as if we are right there in the room with you. I also love your voice and the rhythm of your words.
Thank you Johanna and lovely to meet you! Juliex
We could have been sisters. Sometimes, I didn’t wear a bra. *gasp* And certainly, I only wore lip gloss. Oh, and my mother-in-law’s name is Nina – pronounced with a long i as in Inna. 🙂
what a lovely coincidence re your Nina – yes, I hated bras!!!
I so love it! Who our age had any desire to do anything with bras.? Not me/ Sti;; not me. In fact my husbamd and ourbest man burnt my bra and my madied of honors bra when we moved to an old homestead. We were going to be back to mother natire, live off the land hippies!!
Today its the first thing I do when I get home.
I wanted to say too Jules that I am so enjoying your story telling about how you met husnammd and Inna. Its just wonderful and the way you leave us hanging for more is sooo good. That’s talent lady.
I hope you’ll make a copy of the whole thing for son.~
Bras – grrr!
I don’t like this. I LOVE IT!
And BTW, I’m encouraged to know that I’m not the only one who hates her bra! I only wear them in public, and then only when dressed up. Evil inventions. ~ L
I had non-existent boobs until I had Son – then they burgeoned – argh!
Ah the start of your lipstick. Did you start right out with your red color? Julie I read these stories and smile and get tears. It’s a moving story made extra sweet because of your current story. I always thought I wanted boobs until I had them during one of my pregnancies. They were forever in my way and garnering too much attention. Was I ever glad to be rid of them!
Oh thanks so much Melissa – for all of your beautiful words! Juliex
Your love story series would make a great movie!
Hollywood – here I come – ha!
Oh this is just the most precious chapter…. I had to laugh because just the opposite of you Julie, I walked around with a “palate” of cosmetics as a young girl – eye shadows, lip glosses, and blush… in various shades. I found makeup to be a “creative” endeavor as an adolescent!!! My husband will tell you stories to this day. At the current, I can barely get myself to dabble in the blush 😉
Your story is more and more endearing as it progresses. Truly loving it. Perfect!
Thanks so much, Robyn.
Oh—delightful and luscious! 🙂
Glad you like it!
i enjoyed reading this
Thank you.
Funny how it’s the little things we remember.
I’m beginning to remember the tiniest of details which at the time seemed massive.
How sweet! You were smitten!
Definitely.
This is so perfectly written and the ending has such wonderful comic timing – definite potential for a book when the time is right
Really? I would love to write the book but I can only manage bits of it at the moment because of the now! Thank you, bluebee.
Fun! Love this.
Lovely romance. Wonderfully written. It is like eating little hershey Kisses.
what is a hershey kiss?
An american bonbon that is just the right sized treat to feed and maintain my chocolate addiction.
http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/products.aspx?ICID=KISS1047#/KISSES-SPECIAL-DARK-Mildly-Sweet-Chocolate
Oh! I hate chocolate but I love Jarlsberg cheese!
Now, hating chocolate seems a bit harsh.
So instead of me comparing your great romance vignettes to tasty bites of chocolate, think of taste bites of Jarlsberg cheese to be savored. Of course to me it just doesn’t give the same kind of imagery! But hey – to each his own.
My sister-in-law gave me a quarter wheel of Jarlsberg for Christmas one year and I ate it in two days. It is the only food that I cannot resist!
That is a serious amount of cheese! Were you sick for days? OMG!! I’m laughing and feeling a little queasy at the same time. Would you consider yourself to be a Jarlsbergoholic? I’d post one of those goofy smiley faces if I knew how… Sorry, still laughing!
It didn’t make me sick at all – oh I want some now!
Oh he noticed.