Hidden Cupids are all around us. These cupids remain hidden among the regular folks you see each day from the grocery store to the bank to your office. For two weeks from Feb. 1-14 we will reveal a few stories of these Hidden Cupids. For the full introduction on this series see HERE.
Day 1: Teddy
When a light is left on overnight or the oven is still on at 400 degrees when leaving the home, someone is to blame. Usually in a home with only two people, husband and wife, it is easy to determine who is to blame for the mistakes: probably the husband. But in the home of Jeff and Clare Melick, neither of them are to blame.
“It’s Teddy’s fault,” Jeff said. “Ted gets into a lot of mischief.”
For the Melicks, Teddy has become the scapebear.
“Marriage is a one on one thing,” Jeff said. “Teddy becomes a loving tool.”
This way, he explains, neither of them are allowed to get too angry over the little things for which other couples might immediately throw out blame. To hear he and Clare tell the stories about Teddy, this little 8 in. stuffed bear, one cannot help but laugh along with them. Teddy is truly a troublesome bear.
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The Melicks do not go all out for Valentine’s Day as most of America might.
“On Valentine’s you are expected to give something,” Jeff said. “All other days are surprises.”
Jeff and Clare like the surprises throughout the year and take great joy in finding fun, inexpensive ways to surprise the other. Jeff will bring back wildflowers and feathers from his occasional strolls. Clare excitedly shared that she loves collecting different bird feathers. They often give each other cards for no reason. Jeff and Clare live on a strict budget and so, for them, the small and unexpected gifts are the most treasured.
“It’s all about presentation,” Jeff said.
They enjoy hiking and camping together, and in years past have camped all over the Northeast and Midwest and perhaps farther as well. Often while walking together, one of them will see ‘kissing leaves.’ Jeff said that this is the reason they go hiking. Kissing leaves, as they simply describe them, are any fallen leaves along the path that one or the other designate as the kissing leaves. One of them will pick out the leaf, stand on it, then wait until the other comes and gives them a kiss.
While they call themselves crazy, their way of giving each other thoughtful reminders of their love seems to work, as they laugh and joke along with sharing their stories. In fact, they are nearing their 14th wedding anniversary, which will come on Feb. 28th. Oh, and they are in their 60s. Yet, whether the fact that they ‘newly’ weds for their ages or perhaps that they are past all the child-rearing years, they would seem one of the silliest couples you might meet- laughing and carrying on together as if they were 40 years younger. Perhaps their age allows them to ignore insecurities and unnecessary arguments that younger couples may experience. Hence the coming about of Teddy the bear, that has been with them since their first Christmas.
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Clare recounted a story from their first Christmas. Soon after Jeff married Clare, as she recounted it, Jeff wanted to buy her some earrings,, but felt inadequate to choose such a gift. So they went together to the jewelry store where Clare picked out the pair she liked. Jeff bought the earrings and put them away for Christmas.
Come Christmas Day, Clare is given this rather large package that is definitely larger than the earrings. Upon opening it she was surprised to see what she calls “the cutest teddy bear in the whole world.” It came with its own two sweaters. As she was admiring the little stuffed creature, she noticed that it was wearing earrings-the same earrings that she had picked out in the jewelry store!
Jeff’s creative for presentation had won Clare’s heart. That Christmas Day nearly 14 years ago Teddy became a part of their family. They take Teddy with them on all their trips, and even have him sleep with them in their tent. Clare calls him their constant companion. When going on some hikes, Teddy will ride along in Clare’s backpack with his head poking out. From that vantage point, Teddy sticks his tongue out at Jeff the whole time, who is walking behind his wife.
According to Clare, while they do not give big gifts at Valentines, they give each other cards. Clare even receives two cards: one from Jeff and one from Teddy. Sometimes Teddy will give gifts as well. Despite the bear’s winsome ways, Jeff maintained that he is still more thoughtful than Teddy.
Rillington Fields 