Arthur was 80 years old when he married Emily, a 25-year-old woman.<\/p>\n
The wedding had been beautiful.<\/p>\n
There were flowers everywhere, an enormous cake, and more laughter than Arthur had heard in years.<\/p>\n
People had questions about their age difference.<\/p>\n
Arthur didn’t care.<\/p>\n
He only ever gave the same answer:<\/p>\n
\u201cShe makes me happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next morning, Arthur walked into the hotel breakfast buffet looking surprisingly refreshed.<\/p>\n
He was whistling.<\/p>\n
His step was lighter than usual.<\/p>\n
He even looked ten years younger.<\/p>\n
His best friend, Walter, was already sitting at a corner table.<\/p>\n
Walter was also in his eighties.<\/p>\n
The moment he saw Arthur, he nearly dropped his spoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur!\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur smiled.<\/p>\n
Walter leaned forward and whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cHow on earth did you survive the night with a bride that young?\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n
Walter lowered his voice even further.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeren’t you worried about your heart?\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur calmly poured himself a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n
He took a sip.<\/p>\n
Then he smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI slept in the guest room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe likes the room cold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I snore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter’s mouth fell open.<\/p>\n
Arthur continued sipping his coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe woke me up at six and said I had two choices.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter leaned closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat choices?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCoffee\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur paused dramatically.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026or pancakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you chose?\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter burst out laughing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou had me worried for nothing!\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re the one who assumed the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter wiped his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that’s why you’re whistling?\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe made me breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re a lucky man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur looked across the room.<\/p>\n
Emily was standing at the buffet, carefully choosing fruit for both of them.<\/p>\n
Arthur smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter watched them for a moment.<\/p>\n
Then he leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, Arthur\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you’re happier at eighty than you were at forty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur took another sip of coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s because at forty, I was worried about what everyone thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked toward Emily.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt eighty, I finally learned that happiness doesn’t need anyone’s permission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter nodded slowly.<\/p>\n
Then he laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill, I can’t believe you woke up before me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur grinned.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither can I.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just then, Emily walked over.<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur, are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReady for what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur morning walk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter’s eyes widened.<\/p>\n
\u201cA walk?\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cFive kilometers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter looked at Arthur.<\/p>\n
\u201cFive kilometers?\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur stood up.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m staying here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arthur laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuit yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
He walked away whistling.<\/p>\n
Walter watched him disappear through the hotel doors.<\/p>\n
Then he looked down at his coffee and muttered:<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I need a 25-year-old wife.\u201d<\/p>\n
A voice from the next table immediately answered:<\/p>\n
\u201cOr maybe you just need more pancakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter burst out laughing.<\/p>\n
And from outside came Arthur’s voice:<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard that!\u201d<\/p>\n
The entire breakfast room erupted in laughter.<\/p>\n
Arthur didn’t care about his age.<\/p>\n
He had finally discovered something more important.<\/p>\n
You don’t become old because the calendar says so.<\/p>\n
You become old when you stop looking forward to tomorrow.<\/p>\n
And Arthur?<\/p>\n
He was already looking forward to breakfast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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