George H W Bush and Barbara Bush | George H W Bush, Barbara Bush and children | George H W Bush and Barbara Bush | Source: Getty Images
George H.W. Bush was America's 41st president, but to Barbara Bush, his wife, he was the first and only man she ever kissed. They were so in love and supportive of each other till the end. Barbara spent her last hours holding her husband's hands.
George H. W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, were an exemplary couple who consolidated an enduring legacy before their deaths.
This power couple remained married for more than seven decades, and even though they began their lives as a team during their younger years, their commitment was unwavering until the end.
Barbara Pierce Bush, wife of American president George Bush. | Source: Getty Images
Their seemingly perfect romance began many years ago when Barbara was invited to a Christmas dance at the Greenwich Country Club. Barbara wore a stunning red and green dress to the dance and displayed an admirable spirit. She chatted, laughed, and danced her heart away.
Later that evening, she met George, a young Navy pilot whom she described as a "heavenly boy." He noticed her optimistic attitude and was immediately interested, so he asked a mutual friend about "the life of the party."
Navy Lieutenant George Bush and Barbara Pierce get married in the First Prsbyterian Church in Rye, New York on January 6, 1945. | Source: Getty Images
Jack Wozencraft told him a little about Barbara before inviting her to dance with 17-year-old George. She honored his invitation, feeling rather intrigued.
Sources confirmed that for Barbara, it was love at first sight, and even though George did not know how to waltz, it did not bother her. Instead, they sauntered off the dance floor to chat.
Soon, the teens became acquainted with each other. The young Navy pilot felt comfortable talking about himself, and their friendship progressed. While they were away, they kept in touch through letters.
Barbara and George Bush on November 1, 1978, in Houston, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
They also got engaged secretly, but their affection for each other made it impossible to be kept a secret for a long time. Although young, the pair envisioned their future as a married couple and family. One of George's letters read:
"I love you, precious, with all my heart and to know that you love me means my life. How often I have thought about the immeasurable joy that will be ours some day. How lucky our children will be to have a mother like you."
Shortly after the letter was sent, the lovers became an official couple. They had their wedding on January 6, 1945. Many years later, George maintained that their wedding day was the happiest moment of his life.
Vice President George Bush and Barbara Bush in August 1983 on vacation in Kennebunkport, ME. | Source: Getty Images
Like George, Barbara was constantly in awe of their romance. She always talked about how special her "heavenly boy" was to her. One of her famous remarks was, "I married the first man I ever kissed."
The World's Famous Couple Cared Deeply for One Another
Barbara and George were young when they decided to have a life together, but they remained committed to the cause.
Barbara showed that she was a superwoman; she knew how to parent the kids and could keep the home while her husband was at the forefront.
Barbara Bush and George Bush pose with children Neil Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush and Marvin Bush in 1956. | Source: Getty Images
Barbara showed how much she cared for her husband, which never stopped, even in their younger years. She protected and defended him so much that other family members got the memo. According to the words of a family member:
"The most obvious characteristic about Ganny, whether you've known her a long time or just meet her for the first time is her deep love and protection for Gampy… She's his biggest supporter in everything that he has done in his career and life."
It did not matter the situation or timing; if anyone uttered a bad word about her husband, she was always quick to rise to his defense.
George Bush and his Wife, Barbara Bush, pictured at their house | Source: Getty Images
By all accounts, this was a good marriage inside and outside. While they appeared as a formidable force to the world, the couple enjoyed a great time being each other's partners because they were genuinely dedicated to their marriage.
Nothing was strong enough to shake their faith in the union. They acted selfless, willingly sacrificing their personal needs to satisfy others.It was easy to influence their children through their actions and show them that it took commitment, sacrifice, and selflessness to be in love with a person.
George and Barbara Bush with their children Dorothy, Neil, Marvin, Jeb and George July 1, 1980 in Kennebunkport, Maine. | Source: Getty Images
Even though Barbara invested so much time into her marriage, she was still a great mother to their kids. George Jnr., one of her sons, described her as the family's "mainstay." In his words, his mother was:
"The parent who was always there to help solve the daily problems and emergencies of teen and preteen life."
Expectedly, the couple's six children had different lives and personal stories, but neither success, failure, nor death injured the bond they shared as a family.
Former President George Bush and Barbara Bush photographed on August 23, 2001, in Houston, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Among the Bush clan, there was another president and a Florida governor. Sadly, the family suffered the loss of a child who died from leukemia, but somehow this death strengthened their relationship.
According to Susan Page, who authored one of Barbara's biographies, losing their child "tested" their marriage, but it "made it stronger."
Barbara showed that she was a superwoman; she knew how to parent the kids and could keep the home while her husband was at the forefront.
George & Barbara Bush speaking to reporters on lawn of their home at Naval Observatory, she holding family dog Millie. | Source: Getty Images
The former first lady also knew how to take care of her husband. After his retirement, she kept him busy by planning different activities, including dinner with friends and family and honoring other invitations.
Barbara Bush Had No Regrets Being a Wife
Barbara was always proud of the history she made with George throughout their time together. She confidently spoke about her happy marriage and shared that there were no regrets. She revealed:
"I believe I've had a very happy marriage and I'm having a happy marriage…I wouldn't have changed anything. You're not going to talk to anyone any happier. I have no secrets."
U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush at the Vice President's residence circa 1983 in in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images
Indeed, the former first lady was true to her words. She felt happy in her marriage and thus was not a secret. In her 1994 memoir, she explained that they were "the two luckiest people in the world."
Consequently, she passed down her line of thought to her kids and grandkids. When asked about the secret of her successful marriage, Barbara advised that couples must be mutually thoughtful and supportive of each other.
Barbara and George maintained this same energy until the end of their journey on earth. On April 17, 2018, at age 92, she passed away holding her husband's hands, believing they would reunite in Heaven someday.
President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush arrive for the coin toss prior to Super Bowl 51 between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Although the Bush patriarch outlived his wife, it did not last long. A few months after her death, he passed away. He was 94 years old when he died.
Indeed, they were a power couple. They created a remarkable legacy that has outlived them and continues to inspire younger generations and celebrities, showing that nobody is too busy or swallowed up by a career to focus on a blissful marriage.
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