She got off at the corner of Nowy Świat and Aleje Jerozolimskie. And he behind her.
Residents of the “Willa Harmonia” Senior Home in Pruszków, as part of this year’s Valentine’s Day, agreed to share their love stories with us. It is not without reason that we wanted to give the floor to them this year – because who can teach us about love and mutual respect more than a couple who have lived happily and harmoniously together for over 60 years?
‘Willa Harmonia’ Senior Home in Pruszków ‘Willa Harmonia’ Senior Home in Pruszków
We asked seniors about what they think is the most important thing in love, how to cherish affection over the years, and what they paid most attention to when meeting their current partner for the first time.
We wanted to show love marked by various experiences, everyday life in the post-war reality, shared experiences and history on the pages of woman.gazeta.pl. We wanted to show that it has different faces. Have we succeeded? Judge for yourself.
Love in the Warsaw tram
There was no sense of true autumn yet that day, though the rain might fall lazily. It was the late 1950s, exactly twelve years after the end of the war. Warsaw. Basia, then twenty-two, was in a hurry to catch the tram. She ran away from her mother’s name day party because she had other plans. What she didn’t suspect, however, was that they would change in just a few seconds.
– I looked at him in this tram, and he and me. And the first such thought flashed in my mind: this or none – he says with emotion. 62 years have passed since then, and they are still by their side. inseparable. They sleep together, wake up together, eat together. They drink tea.
There are framed photographs on the dresser in their room. Mrs. Basia and Mr. Staś on a plot in Podkowa Leśna, next to beautiful white flowers. – Bouquet hydrangea – says Mrs. Barbara proudly. Mrs. Basia and Mr. Staś for the first time in the center. – Such a grandfather and grandmother – he comments with a sneer. And a captivating black-and-white photograph of twenty-year-old Mrs. Basia with a sophisticated hairstyle and pearl clips. But what was the occasion? Unfortunately, he doesn’t remember it. Because it’s been so many years…
Stanisław gets nervous when Basia is not around for a while. And Mrs. Barbara is extremely caring! At night, she listens to his breathing. As soon as she hears something that disturbs her, she alerts us immediately
– says Marzena Kurkowska, a medical caregiver, employed at the “Willa Harmonia” Senior Home. He has very close relations with the Morawskis.
Tender, touching and caring gestures can be detected at a glance. Delicate hand brushes, sonorous “darling, take it easy” when Mr. Stanislaw gets impatient.
She got out and he followed her
“I saw such unadulterated nobility in his face. And kindness… – Mrs. Basia continues her story.
I don’t know what he was thinking at that moment. But there must have been something, since I got off the tram and he followed me! And we went to the cafe for wine. I didn’t really like alcohol, neither did my husband, but then it was a special moment. He invited me and I went. How happy I was when it turned out that the first one I made an appointment with didn’t show up! Because I don’t know what I would do. I think I’d be in trouble… And I certainly wouldn’t go with him, but with Stas
Years passed, and the lovers met. They went on trips to the seaside. Finally, the proposal and the wedding. – Traditionally, in church, with a veil – says Basia.
Emotion at the wedding? No, rather the fear of being wrong!
Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford a new dress from the salon. With her last 800 zlotys she rushed to the rental shop. She asked for the prettiest one there is. – There were several design proposals. I chose the most expensive, even though I wasn’t sure if I could afford it. But the woman from the rental shop took pity on me and left me a few zlotys. She saw that I liked this dress very much.
Basia and Andrzej have been together for 62 years. On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, they share memories of the beginnings of their love woman.Gazeta.pl
Moments of emotion on the way to the altar? – NO. I’m more afraid of being wrong!
Wedding reception? Dances-breaking to music from the gramophone
They organized the wedding in the apartment, in one of the rooms. Future members of the bride’s family, friend with her husband, family and friends of the groom. – Some dance-breaking to music from the gramophone. There were no games like now in the halls, a hundred people and God knows what. There was nothing like it, there was nothing for it – recalls Mrs. Barbara. – It was expenses. Anyway, my parents borrowed money for this ceremony.
If there were two barbs, blood would spill
Basia always knew what she wanted. First of all, consent. Despite their differences in personalities, it turned out that they magically complement each other.
– If there were two barbs, blood would be spilled – he jokes. – And it wasn’t. One person always has to yield a little. And not so that “only I am important and you are just anyone”.
So is compromise important?
– Must be!
All New Year’s Eves included
They also had common passions: books and dancing.
I loved to dance and so did my husband. All New Year’s Eves were included – he says. She remembers that they often went to the University of Physical Education and the University of Physical Education for New Year’s dances.
Hell, I guess I wasn’t
It’s hard not to be moved when he talks about Mr. Staś.
It has a rather mild character. He was always apologizing to me, never saying bad words. For him, if someone says “damn”, it’s a terrible swear word
Miss Basia laughs.
– And I? And I don’t know what I was. Hell, I don’t think I was, because if we’ve been together for so many years … If I was a bitch, we wouldn’t be together! And we never argued. There was no reason, no reason.
This cannot be bought with any money
What is the most important thing in love? According to Mrs. Basia, above all, mutual respect. – And a good atmosphere at home. No fights, no quarrels, no bickering. After struggling? It’s a waste of energy for quarrels, scuffles, brawls – he lists.
– It just comes out of itself, there are no strengths for it. Or is it destiny? Isn’t it destiny that it’s meant to be that way? – wonders. – This can’t be bought with any money. It must be fate that you want to be with this person.
Proposal in Saska Kępa
Mr. Andrzej and Mrs. Basia met each other for the first time during their studies at the Warsaw University of Technology. However, it wasn’t until their third year that they started dating seriously.
You can’t go too fast, because then it rarely succeeds. As everything goes slowly, during this time you can get to know each other better, argue a bit, break up, come back. And then you really want it
Mr. Andrew laughs. He was the initiator. He invited me on dates, suggested going out together.
65 years – this is how long the marriage of Mrs. Basia and Mr. Andrzej lasts. What is their recipe for a successful relationship? woman.Gazeta.pl
He proposed in a park in Saska Kępa.
Some people said we weren’t compatible
Some people said we weren’t compatible. And for a long time we had practically nothing, just a tiny apartment. But we wanted to be together. And then it went downhill from us. Good job for example
– recalls Mr. Andrew. – Nothing was dripping from the sky, we had to act on our own. But we also had common goals and people around us, a family that wanted to help.
What were we arguing about because I forgot?
There were quarrels and arguments, there were even quite a few of them. The difference in characters is quite palpable. – I have a stronger character, I’m so faster. The wife usually soothes the mood, but sometimes she doesn’t have the strength – interjects Mr. Andrzej.
And he admits that patience is important. – The wife has this brake, almost permanently. I have to repent sometimes. Then I’ll throw myself on the couch and sleep. After some time, he comes to me and says: you already slept, it’s over – he recalls with a smile. – And then I ask: what were we arguing about, because I forgot?
Valentine’s Day as a holiday does not function in their calendar. – But sometimes she got flowers! And since once I forgot about Basia’s name day, I brought her a bouquet from those that I picked myself.
They both enjoy interacting with children. They have two sons.
In love, according to Mr. Andrzej, kindness and the ability to reach agreement are the most important. – And not lying. Not to hide the truth. You also need to know what you’re aiming for.
Today, almost 65 years have passed since their wedding. When asked what features of Ms. Basia captivate him the most, he thinks for a moment. – That he tolerates me! – laughs.
We were throwing clogs through the house
Janina is 98 years old. She grew up in Volhynia. She learned about where her future husband would come from on New Year’s Eve from … a shoe.
On New Year’s Eve there were such plays … We threw clogs through the house, my sister was there too. Because our house was just low, covered with sheet metal. And we watched which way the tip of this clog would point. Mine went west. And he indicated that I would have a husband from there, from the West. I think to myself: how am I supposed to suddenly find myself in this West? And it so happened that it was true!
Together with her family, she left the Volyn region and settled in Międzylesie near Warsaw. There she met her future husband.
I didn’t like blondes!
– I had a boyfriend before. He was blond and came from Vilnius. And I didn’t like blonds very much, and this one was just such a brunette… and we fell in love and got married – he recalls with a smile.
Mrs. Janina did not like blondes, and her husband got a brunette woman.Gazeta.pl
Janina’s husband has been dead for thirteen years. Their marriage was different. Janina recalls that she was often the one who gave in. However, he emphasizes that in the event of any dispute, it is important to explain your point of view, and not to oppose it at any cost.
And traditionally: what is the most beautiful thing about love? The answer is not surprising. – Mutual respect!
On the occasion of today’s Valentine’s Day, as the editorial office of woman.gazeta.pl, we wish you a lot of love – that you will be happy as long as possible!
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
