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anniversary, baba, babushka, dating, dedushka, dido, faithfulness, fidelity, grandchildren, grandfather, grandma, grandmother, grandpa, grandparents, ice cream, love, marriage, true love
I never got a chance to know my dad’s parents. I try my best to know them by poring over photos and asking for stories to be told and retold and told again. And I feel like I do know them when I look into my father’s eyes. It’s in those moments that I know his parents were kind and gentle and loving. I look forward to meeting them on the other side and listening intently as they fill the gaps in the childhood stories my dad tries his best to tell. But for all I don’t know about them, I do know they loved one another.
On the other side of the family are my mom’s parents — known to me as Baba and Dido (Grandma and Grandpa in Ukrainian / Russian). Though they live on the West Coast and I don’t see them as often as I’d like, they’ve played an incredibly important part in my life. And their love story is really, really special.
Both of their families migrated from the former Soviet Union to China when they were young children. They met as teenagers and fell in love, and soon started a family together, including my dear mom. Life in China wasn’t easy. They fought poverty, famine, and persecution for their Christian faith. Through it all, they held onto their faith in God… and they held onto each other’s hands. After nearly 30 years in China, they migrated to “freedom” — via boat to Australia. They lived there for a decade — in a house, with running water and electricity. Life was good. Then they got on another boat and took a weeks-long trip to British Columbia, Canada, where they settled and have lived for over 40 years.
Still together.
Still in love.
Still made for each other.
She’s 85 and still pins her long, gray hair up into a bun every single morning. He’s 88 and still constantly peruses the house for something, anything to fix or repair. She is a master baker, gardener and seamstress. He is a master woodworker, tool maker and farmer. And they love Jesus.
64 years of marriage. 8 children. 34 grandchildren. 18 great-grandchildren. One God.
I want that kind of love.
A few weeks ago, my Baba and Dido visited the East Coast and I got to spend some time with them. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, my friend (and talented photographer) Rosina Waszaj joined me in my hometown, where we took a trip to the ice cream parlor on Main Street — the same place I frequented as a kid. We all sat and chatted and enjoyed the best homemade ice cream on the Eastern Seaboard.
And I couldn’t help but feel blessed. And grateful. And challenged to not settle for anything less than a love like theirs.
~Ruth
P.S. Want more of Baba and Dido? I interviewed them this past summer about their take on love, marriage and why I’m still single. Watch it here.
rosina said:
i love love love it ruth!! love them. love their love!! xo
Ruth Rutherford said:
Can’t thank you enough for spending the afternoon with us and sharing your great talent. These memories will last for generations. xoxo
Emily said:
Aww! So sweet! And the pictures are worth a thousand words. I love it. Thanks for sharing.
Ruth Rutherford said:
They really are the sweetest!
beaucoupfleurs said:
A love like theirs indeed! And if we’re honest, it only took something in the range of several decades. They obviously kept their eye on the goal and “worked” at reaching it. We don’t know at what point in that journey their lives felt like they were really in sync (as one) but we do know on this side of the journey that it was worth it. In the grand scheme of things, a price well worth paying. Pure gold!
btw – I dare anyone to keep up with your Baba doing anything. Amazing lady!
Ruth Rutherford said:
I’ve asked them about what their marriage was like early on, when they were in their twenties with 4, 5, 6 kids, living in poverty and just trying to make it work. Honestly, they remember the hard times, but they don’t dwell on them. They mostly talk about God’s faithfulness. So it makes me realize that God was really their focus all the way through. I can’t imagine their marriage is perfect. No one’s is. But it was worth it. And I do believe it has made each of them (and the rest of our family) better for it.
My Baba is Super Woman!
mmaharodrod said:
and they still holds hands awwwwwwwww i want that toooooooo
Ruth Rutherford said:
I know! That’s the best shot, right? I melted.
Arianna Merritt, M.Ed. said:
These a beautiful pictures! I hope I get the chance to be like them at their age. Thanks for the reminder that that kind of live exists
Awesome post. Going to watch their interview now 
Ruth Rutherford said:
It really does still exist. I think it’s harder to find nowadays… but it’s still worth the fight. Thanks so much for reading!
Sarah Robertson (@SarahRoberts0n) said:
beautiful story ruth!
Ruth Rutherford said:
Thanks Sarah!
emilycrostonwrites said:
Looked at all the pictures and watched the interview…..very cute!
Ruth Rutherford said:
Thanks Emily! What are the odds that we’ll be that cute when we’re in our 80s? Ha ha.
Jennay said:
Such a amazing and lovely couple…they are so adorable!! My parents hit their 50th wedding anniversary in late December…I’m hoping to do a photoshoot for them! Not many people my age (30+) are lucky enough to have parents still together…so I feel very fortunate!!
Ruth Rutherford said:
You are absolutely fortunate, Jennay! That’s a very momentous occasion. The photo shoot idea is a MUST. Do it! It’s rare these days. So glad you have that example in your life. Thanks for reading!
P.S. Maybe when you do the photo shoot… you can share them with me and I’ll blog about their story! Think about it…
Jennay said:
That would be amazing! =) I will definitely share it with you! I’ve really enjoyed your blog-I don’t comment often, but I do read every post!!
P.S. I forgot to mention that my favorite photo of your grandparents is the 2nd, 3rd, and last photo. So heartwarming!
1 Story A Week said:
Me too. I am reminded of the old couple that was interviewed after 60 years of marriage. They were asked how they had stayed together so long and the wife responded, “In our generation when something was broken we didn’t throw it out or replace it, we fixed it.”
Ruth Rutherford said:
Isn’t that so true? We throw stuff out way too easily nowadays. When’s the last time I took in a pair of shoes to a cobbler? Or a coat to be repaired? Great statement! Really got me thinking.
Hannah Nicole said:
This is so beautiful and wonderful. I love hearing these stories, because they are the ones that matter. Our history is often better than any storybook. Thank you for sharing, lady! xoxo
Ruth Rutherford said:
Thanks, Hannah! We can learn so much from history. Sometimes I get so focused on trying to write my own story that I forget to appreciate all the ones that have already happened.
Jeff said:
What a wonderful testimony! My parents have been married for 54 years. Still just as in love as ever. An inspiration to me and my wife (we’ve been married 27).
Ruth Rutherford said:
First, your parents rock. Second, you and your wife rock! Love, love, love to hear of long marriages. Such a great example for all of us!
Thanks for reading.
josephinedayco said:
Simply beautiful. What an encouragement!! Their story just warms my heart. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Ruth Rutherford said:
Thanks, Josephine!
siewkwan said:
Yes Ruth, do not settle for anything less!
Love their story, thanks for sharing.
Ruth Rutherford said:
You’re welcome. These stories warm my heart.
Lindsay said:
The last picture I have of my grandpa (before he passed away) was of him holding hands with my grandma while they were taking a walk through their favorite park. It was on his birthday. Oh, how I love that picture! They were married for 60+ years and still very, very much romantically in love, just like your grandparents. I want that kind of love too! It’s so rare and precious.
Ruth Rutherford said:
Lindsay, the thought of that photo of your grandparents just make my heart melt. You are blessed to have that memory… and that legacy.