Mum and Dad spent Tuesday with us. We visited Chenrezig - a Buddhist institute where Mum and I attempted to learn to calm our shrieking minds after the accident. We’d bought a gold tile in David’s memory during our course, so we visited the Garden of Enlightenment to see it in situ.
After we stocked up on Stroganoff supplies, the lure of Lifeline proved too much for Mausie, so we went on a thrifting mission. While Mum investigated scarves, hats and skirts, I browsed bric-a-brac.
Sitting on the shelf, I spied six pewter mugs.
Closer inspection revealed them all gifts from Judith to Robert. The first mug is dated 9/4/74. There’s one for the same date for 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1980. 
Perhaps it was the day, but I couldn't bear that these measures of Judith’s love were no longer treasured. How had they come to be in Lifeline? I plonked them on the counter and declared that they were being rehomed.
Since then I’ve been wondering about the story behind them. Who are Robert and Judith? Were they lovers? Were they siblings? How old were they when Judith started this beautiful tradition? Did Robert like pewter, or did he silently wish he’d got socks every April? Did he finally tell her in 1980?
In honour of this love story, the nineth of April shall henceforth be known as Judith loves Robert day in Casa de Cooker. We’ll drink from icy-cold tankards (another Lifeline customer put her hand on my forearm and told me to put them in the freezer before we use them) and toast Robert and Judith’s happiness.
who do you think Robert and Judith are?
how did the tankards come to be in Beerwah Lifeline?
I'll go first: Robert and Judith were children from feuding families. Robert and Judith met. Robert and Judith fell in love. Deny thy father and refuse thy name.... yada yada yada. Judith and Robert married in secret, but then Robert stabbed someone. Judith took sleeping tablets. Robert took poison. Robert and Judith's families became friends and built a monument to their children.
I'll be washing the tankards carefully.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Hahaha. You got it in one! Yep, that's their story for sure ...
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Lydia C. Lee says
Robert and Judith met in later years and lived happily ever after, however, Robert's children when managing the Estate just saw his treasured collection as worthless junk...proving one mans treasure is another mans trash.
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting says
It's amazing the things you can find. Beautiful photos!
bakeplaysmile says
Oooh I think they were childhood sweethearts who ran away together! xx
Alicia says
Wow, I'd like to think their story is a happy one. This spiked my interest. My ex bosses were a married couple, you'd never guess what their names were. 🙂
Sarah Barrett says
Such a lovely hint of a story. I wonder what happened on the years in-between?
Have A Laugh On Me says
Maybe they had a bad break up or something - or maybe they both together and had no one to give the mugs to? I want to believe that otherwise it's a bit sad they were given away. I hope your heart and soul is slightly at peace after the lovely experience x
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Wow! I would have bought them too. Such a mystery, but I'd love to know the real story.
Author Bek Mugridge (@bekmugridge) says
Oh what an intriguing find.
It really does make one wonder at the story behind them, it is sad that they should end up in an op shop but at least now they are all still together thanks to you X
Leigh says
Husband and wife. Bought a house with a bar. Wife bought a 6 pack of tankards and gave them to him 6 years in a row? Sorry probably a boring story.
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
I think they were husband and wife who won the lottery or came into money in 1980 and replaced their trusty tankards with champagne flutes every April. Everyone knows you can't slurp champers out of a tankard, so that's how the tankards came to be in Lifeline. I like a happy ending so I'd like to think they're still together and living the dream!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
My favourite story so far Sammie! Love it! Will toast their lotto win come April.
P.S. Perhaps the tankards are lucky?
mamagrace71 says
Maybe they were second cousins who secretly fell in love. Knowing that their families would not approve. Both ended up marrying different people but the mugs were disguised as"Christmas" presents but the date was actually when they first kissed.