A vendor brought a little gift into work today. The gift is for everyone, but really, I think it was meant for me. Why, you ask?
I have never seen a bigger box of Godiva chocolate in my life, and honestly, I don’t think I care to.
But in case you’re wondering if the box is all flash and no fun, let’s look inside.
Even the paper is pretty and full of chocolately goodness. When you take off that paper, oh my what wonder awaits you.
That is lunch and dinner for the next week right there. Oh, but what’s in that gold box in the middle, you might be asking. Um, only the only thing better than chocolate.
Cookies. Covered in Godiva chocolate. I only have so much will power, people.
Mildred Loving died not so long ago. She was a black woman who dared to fall in love with a white man and marry him. It was 1958, and in Virginia their marriage was illegal. Fifty years ago, 17 states did not believe that black and white should mix. And the simple act of falling in love and choosing to sign a marriage certificate meant you could go to jail.
Think about it. Imagine not being allowed to marry the man you love, because his skin isn’t close enough to your shade. Mildred and her husband Robert refused to move out of Virginia and let things stand. They moved to Washington and took their case to the Supreme Court. And because of their love and their courage, anti-miscegenation laws were struck down in all 17 states where they still existed.
Sadly, Robert Loving died in a car accident in 1975. Mildred never stopped loving and missing her husband. And what’s more, she never stopped standing up for what she believed in. Last year, on the 40th anniversary of the Loving vs. Virginia announcement, she wrote a letter. I’ve excerpted the paragraph that I am most moved by.
Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the “wrong kind of person” for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no
matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.
Mildred Loving could have lived her life quietly with her children and grandchildren. She could have ignored the fact that marriage equality is still not a reality for gay and lesbian people. Instead, she chose once again to stand up for what she believes. She chose to stand up on behalf of all people. And for that, she deserves our gratitude and our Loving thoughts.