The Impact Loving Day Has Had On My Multiracial Family

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Loving Day is celebrated all across the country on June 12th.

It is the the anniversary of the 1967 U.S Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia, which eliminated the outlaw of interracial marriage.

While it is not a national holiday, it is a big deal for interracial marriages like mine.

The History

Mildred Loving, a black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, married in Washington D.C in 1958. Interracial marriage was illegal, so the couple was arrested a few weeks after their marriage when they returned home to Virginia.

They avoided jail time by agreeing to leave Virginia. The couple took legal action and the court ruled in their favor. They returned to Virginia and raised their 3 children.

Thanks to the Lovings, my husband and I have been married for 8 years and are raising our 3 children without fear of being arrested. They set the tone for couples all over the country to be free to marry whoever they choose, regardless of skin color.

And that my friends, is how Loving Day was born.

My Love Story

I met my husband as a JCPenney Sales associate in the men’s department when I was 22.

If you would’ve told me then that I was working with my future husband, I would’ve laughed in your face. I took a part time job at JCPenney because I couldn’t get a job anywhere else.

I had a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and was pursuing my Master’s Degree in School Counseling. I tried to get a job at a bank and other “grown up” places, but it just didn’t work out.

Now I know that my job there was to meet my husband. 

Justin asked for my number “in case we needed to swap shifts.”

I thought he was cute, but honestly didn’t think he was interested in me when he asked for my number, so I gave it to him.

The more we talked, the more we discovered that we had a mutual, unspoken initial attraction for each other, Our interests spanned across food, travel, music and people.

Our conversations were about everything and nothing.

I have such a type A personality. I’m a planner and I take pride in knowing all the details. He is much more laid back and spontaneous. I loved that he pushed me to try new things and just enjoy life.

He took me fishing for the first time and laughed when I cried over hooking a cricket (I know, crazy right?!)

The more time we spent together, it was obvious to us both that we were falling in love.

We spent three years dating before he popped the question one summer.

The Proposal

After a weekend of visiting my parents, I returned home to an elaborate spread of food Justin prepared for me. We both liked to cook, so I was grateful for the meal and not the least bit suspicious.

After dinner, he suggested that we go on a walk. My parents live two hours away, and after driving, the last thing I wanted to do was walk. He was so pushy about it that I gave in.

After the walk, he suggested that we stop by my old apartment and take a picture for nostalgia sake. I agreed, but thought it was strange that he would suggest that.

To make matters even stranger, he suggested that we go upstairs and take a picture of front of my apartment door. I was afraid that the new resident would be upset about us being in front of their apartment, so I said no.

He kept pushing, so I finally agreed just so we could get it over with and go home.

When we got to the top of the stairs, I turned around and wondered where he went. He was so pushy about the picture, I wondered where he disappeared to.

The next thing I knew, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. I’m sure I stood there with my mouth open for what seemed like an eternity. I’m not even sure if I was able to verbalize an answer or just nod.

We had spent so much time at my apartment and made so many memories there that he wanted to propose in a place that would A. catch my off guard and B. be special to me.

I usually am very chatty, but that night rendered my speechless. I couldn’t believe that he pulled it all off without me being privy to any of the details and that we were going to get married!

Our Multiracial Family

Loving day is special for my multiracial family. It means that my husband and I, can be free to love and create a beautiful family.

It means that my children will be raised knowning that diversity is beautiful and that beauty comes in all shades.

 

Even if you are not in a multiracial family, Loving Day has meaning for you too. The more we begin to acknowledge the beauty in differences rather than gawk, ignore or pretend they don’t exist, the better our world will be.

To teach your kids more about Loving Day, check out The Case For Loving, available on Amazon.