The Bushes: It was a touching love story
The couple that had the longest marriage in the history of the American presidency are united once again. George and Barbara Bush shared a 73-year love story, and made no secret of their enduring affection for one another. “If there is such a thing as perfect, it was their relationship,” said Ron Kaufman, assistant to the president and White House political director under George H.W. Bush. Barbara Pierce and George Herbert Walker Bush met in 1941 at a Christmas dance at Greenwich Country Club in Connecticut just days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Barbara grew up in Rye, N.Y., and attended Ashley Hall Private School in South Carolina. George grew up in Milton and attended Phillips Academy in Andover. The two, home for Christmas, met at the dance where 16-year-old Barbara described George as a “heavenly boy” to her mother, admitting it was love at first sight, according to their granddaughter Ellie LeBlond Sosa’s book, “George and Barbara Bush, A Great American Love Story.” Barbara and George got married in Rye four years after meeting, on Jan. 6, 1945, and would have six children — George, Robin, John Ellis (Jeb), Neil, Marvin and Dorothy. Kaufman describes their legacy as a “true love for the ages,” noting their spectacular triumphs and heartbreaking sadness. The two maintained a long-distance relationship while George was in the Navy, often writing love letters to each other. “I love you, precious, with all my heart and to know 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 ... ” wrote George in December 1943. The pair later put their marriage to the test again as George began making his move into politics. In the White House, the couple demonstrated their rock-solid relationship both publicly and privately. Kaufman recalls noticing “the little things” between Barbara and George, such as laughter and playfulness. “They fit together like two incredible pieces of a beautiful puzzle,” said Kaufman adding, “They never once doubted each other.” In an interview on ABC’s “Nightline,” Barbara talked about how she would want her husband to be remembered, calling him “decent, honorable, wonderful.” “I want people to remember him as courageous, I want them to remember him as he is,” said Barbara.