Page 132 - The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

not far from Andy Griffith’s legendary Mayberry, and an hour
and a half from Mount Pilot. At the time of this story, China
Grove was a textile town with a population of 1,500. I had
been away for more than ten years, studying anthropology,
psychology, and theology. I was making my semiannual
visit to keep in touch with my roots.
Almost everyone I knew except Dr. Shin and Dr. Smith
worked in the mill. Dr. Shin was the medical doctor, and Dr.
Smith was the dentist. And of course, there was Preacher
Blackburn, who was pastor of the church. For most couples
in China Grove, life centered on work and church. The
conversation at the mill focused on the superintendent’s
latest decision and how it affected their job in particular.
The services at church focused mainly on the anticipated
joys of heaven. In that pristine American setting, I
discovered love language number four.
I was standing under a chinaberry tree after church on
Sunday when Mark and Mary approached me. I didn’t
recognize either of them. I assumed they had grown up
while I was away. Introducing himself, Mark said, “I
understand you have been studying counseling.”
I smiled and said, “Well, a little bit.”
“I have a question,” he said. “Can a couple make it in
marriage if they disagree on everything?”
It was one of those theoretical questions that I knew
had a personal root. I brushed aside the theoretical nature
of his question and asked him a personal question. “How
long have you been married?”