Real People in Love: Charity & Nick (Cole's Parents)

My parents have one of the best relationships I've ever known. They work together all day every day and go home and still love each other. They've set the standard high and are a great example of love. I asked my mom to play along so here goes.

How old are you and Nick?

I'm 49 and Dad is 54.

What are your occupations?

Restaurant owners (Note from Cole:VERY SUCCESSFUL restaurant owners, they were on Food Network!)

How did you meet?

Our families were both in the antiques business for years, my family had known your dad since he was a little boy. My mom and I were traveling from Florida to Texas for an antique show and on the way my mom told me that I was about to meet a boy that I would love, was she right! We were setting up the show and your father arrived. My mom called his name and he turned. When he first saw me he dropped his briefcase, it was so cute.

We spent a lot of time together that week. We found out we had a lot in common, we had dinner together every night after the show and my mother also loved him so it was fun and easy to get to know him. When the show was over we said our goodbyes. Two weeks later we met again at another antique show in Nashville. That's where the sparks really flew! (Ha) We had so much fun together! From then on we spoke daily on the phone, he was in Philadelphia and I was in Florida.

About a month after the Nashville show he flew to Florida and we drove a truck load to Dallas for my mother. The trip was supposed to take 2 days but it took us 5! The first day we didn't even get our of Florida! We stopped at a lot of bars and restaurants along the way. We had a great two weeks. We rode mechanical bulls and drank bottles of champagne by the year. We would go to lunch and come back 4 hours later after drinking vodka gimlets and stealing balloons from a bank, it was a crazy fun courtship!

It sealed the relationship and about 4 months later I moved to Pennsylvania and we've been together ever since.

How did you get engaged?

It was my birthday. I had to go on a scavenger hunt with clues that ended up in our bedroom, my gift, my ring, was under the mattress. Then Dad asked me to marry him.

Tell us about your wedding day (not necessarily elements but feelings too)

We went to the justice of the peace, Dad bought me a bouquet. I was very nervous and shaking. It was wonderful.

Define Love:

It's caring and thinking about the other person's needs and wants. It's not selfish. It's doing special things like I love you gifts for each other.

What's the toughest part of being in a committed relationship?

Putting up with things that the other person does that bug you.

What is the best part?

It's comfortable and secure being with someone so long. It's great knowing someone so well.

What is the best day you and Dad have had together?

The days you and your sister were born.

What makes you different from other couples?

We can work all day together and come home and still be loving and understanding. We spend so much time together and truly love it.

What is the most essential element of making it?

Patience, kindness, forgiveness, making each other laugh. If you say or do something that is painful to your partner apologize right away. You don't want to hurt each other.

What is your favorite thing to do together?

At this point in our life it's going to the lake to relax.

Do you have a song?

Jeffery Osbourne "Let's Spend the Night Together"

What are your hopes for the future?

For us all to be happy and live a long life together.

Anything else the world needs to know about love?

The grass is not greener on the other side. It's a wonderful feeling growing old together.