SNAP Love Stories Contest Second Place: Toby and Hilda Taylor

Published 11:43 am Thursday, February 14, 2019

Editor’s Note: Ashley Tyson, formerly of Norwood, shared this piece on her grandparents. It placed second in The Stanly News & Press’ Love Stories Contest. Their story follows:

When I hear the word “love,” I imagine my grandparents, Toby and Hilda Taylor.

The purest form of true love was them.

My grandma passed away Christmas morning of 2016. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. We all surrounded the hospital bed and as she laid there taking her last breaths, Grandpa stood by her through the end, talking her through it.

The usual wedding vows of being richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do you part was every bit of them.

They were each other’s best friend and rock. They supported each other through the many years together; whether it be an event with the fire department where my grandpa is an assistant fire chief, or my grandma managing Servco store in Norwood.

They stood by each other during the health concerns that they both had and they bettered each other not only financially, but spiritually as well.

They built a beautiful family together that later on extended. If you weren’t born in it, then you were adopted into it.

Through three kids, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several grand puppies.

Their humbleness was always inspiring to me.

My brother and I got the honor of living with them for a good bit of our lives and they helped shape us into the human beings we have became today.

We both know we could never repay all the memories and countless moments they were able to give to us. They made it to every birth, wedding, graduation and sporting event (in town or out of the state) in all of our lives.

We all were the ones truly blessed to have them in our lives and to show us the true meaning of the word love.

They not only had the grandest love for each other, but they showed it through their family and loved ones as well. I’ve always admired the word “serendipity.” It means when you find something good without looking for it.

Love, serendipity and fate are all words that I would describe these two wonderful people’s relationship by.

I can only hope that my relationship will continue to grow and last through the years like theirs did.