All because two people fell in love.

100 years ago today, in the 9th Street Baptist Church in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Thomas A. Riley and Miss Aline M. Johnson were united in marriage by Pastor John F. Herget.

Thomas and Aline were my maternal great grandparents. I don't remember my great grandfather, who passed away when I was a small child, but I remember my great grandmother well. She lived lived into her late 90s and passed away when I was in the 8th grade. She lived next door to my grandmother and grandfather for many, many years. She crocheted beautiful doilies. She baked bread. She always wore a house dress and practical shoes -- really ugly practical shoes. She also loved cut crystal and the color pink and grew beautiful flowers in her yard.

Michal's middle name is Aline, as is my mom's, in her honor. My great grandmother was a lovely woman who fell in love with a funny, charming man.

I'm sure glad that she did.