In April of 2018, the world lost Barbara Bush. Known as the "first lady of the Greatest Generation," she was an honest woman whose individual quirks made her different from everyone else.
Politics aside, she was quick on her feet. In fact, in one memorable interaction, Barbara had to talk about literacy to experts after choosing it as her platform. But when she went up on stage, she realized the best thing to do would be to turn the questions to the audience. She asked them what she should focus on in her position of power.
"When in doubt, keep quiet, listen, and let others talk,” Barbara said, regarding her performance. "They’ll be happy, and you might learn something."
Even Barbara Bush's last words were powerful. In a book from 2020, titled Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go a Long Way), Barbara's family members included a few stories unknown to even her biggest fans.
According to Jeb Bush, one of the last exchanges between his parents even made the hospital staff cry. "The last time my mom went into the hospital, I think Dad got sick on purpose so he could be with her. That’s my theory, at least, because literally a day later he showed up with an illness," he wrote, according to People.
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"He came into her room while she was sleeping and held her hand," he continued. "His hair was standing straight up, and he was wearing a hospital gown. In other words, he looked like hell!" But, Barbara didn't see him that way. After all, this was her soulmate.
Jeb writes that Barbara took one look at him and said: "My God, George, you are devastatingly handsome." The words are incredibly kind. This is definitely the type of partnership that anyone would be lucky to have. These two had been together since they were teenagers.
It all started at a Christmas dance. USA Today reports that back in 1941, George H.W. Bush — who was just 17 and the time — and 16-year-old Barbara Pierce caught each other's eye. The pair were eventually introduced by mutual friends. While a waltz was playing, the two opted to just talk and get to know each other instead of dance.
In December of 1944, they were engaged. In 1945, they got married. In 1989, while George H.W. Bush was president, Barbara admitted that he was the first boy she had ever kissed. They went on to have six children — George, Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. Robin, unfortunately, passed away at the age of 3 while battling leukemia.
When George H.W. Bush lost the election to Bill Clinton in the early '90s, he was incredibly polite and respectful. "You will be our president when you read this note," his letter stated. "I wish you well. I wish your family well." But, obviously, this wouldn't be the last time that a Bush was in the White House. George W. Bush also served, and Jeb tried to run in the 2016 election.
As for their romance, they became the longest-married couple in presidential history — a record that has since been surpassed by the Carters. But, George also loved who she was as a mother. Having six children isn't easy, even if you have a little bit of financial help. George called her "the mainstay, of course, the parent who was always there to help solve the daily problems and emergencies of teen and preteen life."
Barbara was similarly gracious towards George. In her memoir, which was released in 1994, Barbara reportedly wrote that the couple were "the two luckiest people in the world," adding that "when all the dust is settled and all the crowds are gone, the things that matter are faith, family and friends. We have been inordinately blessed, and we know that."
George also said, "I have climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that cannot hold a candle to being Barbara’s husband," proving that these two were the real deal. If you never believed in love at first sight before, you might want to rethink that after hearing their story. These two flourished through everything together.
George didn't live much longer than Barbara. He died just around eight months after she did. The time must have been tough for him, as the two of them were officially together for 73 years. It's hard to imagine being apart after over 70 years of wedded bliss.
During his father's funeral ceremony, George W. Bush said that he learned everything he could about being a husband from his dad. "Every day of his 73 years of marriage, dad taught us all what it means to be a great husband," he said. "He was dedicated to her totally."
In the speech, he also mentioned what a great father he had. "We tested his patience — I know I did — but he always responded with the great gift of unconditional love," he said. It seems like throughout everything, the Bush family knew that family was the most important thing to maintain.
George W. Bush also made sure to mention Robin in his loving eulogy. "Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man. And in our grief, let us know that dad is hugging Robin and holding mom’s hand again," he said.
For those hopeless romantics out there, don't worry. It's possible to find a love like the one that George and Barbara had. They're just proof that it might end up happening when you least expect it. Just think — if one of them didn't go to that Christmas dance, everything would have been different.
