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Don’t worry, this is not going to be some kinky “tell-all.” But you know when you can’t put something off any longer? That’s how we felt about buying a new bed. After twenty years, the old one was so lumpy and beaten-up, I’m surprised it didn’t leave on its own. We finally roused ourselves and went to the local super-store.

First, we tried each mattress in this 500-bed showroom. Some were too hard, others too soft. We finally found the right one. Ahh, I thought, enjoying its welcoming feel, I could see myself slipping into this at the end of each day.

After making our selection, we sat at the salesman’s desk to settle up. As he and my husband Randy wrangled over pricing and rebates, that’s when I had a strange thought. Damn, we’ll be up there when we buy our next bed.

I sat, doing the math. We’ve been married 36 years with two beds. That means each lasted an average of 18 years. We’re now (more or less) 60. We’ll be in our late 70’s (almost 80) for the next one. Gulp.

Time flies. And that’s when I saw how each of our beds had its own era.

Our first sleeper set the tone for all to come. Randy’s Texan father George bought it as a wedding gift. Of course, like everything in Texas, bigger is better. This sleeper was no exception—huge and king-size, actually two extra-long twins pushed together. Needless to say, my 6’5” husband was ecstatic.

We were in our twenties and in heaven. Who could resist this luxurious expanse, this soft surface built for fun and comfort?

That first mattress saw the friskiness of young marriage and dinners of take-out Chinese spent lounging around, watching “Taxi” on the bedroom TV.

Over the years there were times when we went to bed happy—a long-sought job offer came through or after a fun meal. There were also sad times like that December morning I woke to find John Lennon had been assassinated. When our new kitten Callie was killed by a car, I stayed in that bed and cried for days.

When I was pregnant with each of my sons, I slept on my left side so much the mattress became permanently dented.

When I had an infant and two year-old, that bed became my refuge. I’d lie there, exhausted between feedings and playtimes, picturing the bed like Mammy from “Gone with the Wind.” “There, honey child. It’s going to be alright,” it seemed to say.

The kids grew. Randy travelled for business. Many mornings I’d wake to find our two little boys, plus the cat and dog in my bed, all touching me like spokes on a wheel.

Of course, the boys’ favorite pastime was jumping up and down on this poor mattress. It got so I didn’t climb into bed each night as much as fall into this soft pit. The day that bed left—by now battered and broken—it felt like someone should play “Taps.”

A sleeker, modern “memory-foam” followed. By now, we were in our early forties and this was the era I discovered we were “bed people.” Where other families gathered around the hearth or kitchen table, we gathered on the bed. I’m not sure why except it was soft and we could stretch out.

By the times the boys were older, we had a chair and window seat for them, but family meetings were usually conducted with Randy and I holding court on our king-size, a cat or dog always sleeping between us.

Our boys became teenagers. Instead of jumping sessions, there were bedroom talks about girls and drinking and driving. Over the years this new bed saw its own share of happy times — high school and college graduations and birthdays. There were also sad ones, like the passing of beloved parents and pets.

And now this second bed, once shiny and new, has outlived its time.

The other day a woman called to confirm our third sleeper would be delivered in a few weeks. “Will you be ready to receive it?” she asked in a cheerful voice.

I thought of how bed has always been one of my favorite spots in life, how safe and happy and warm they’ve always made me feel.

I thought of how this new one begins yet another era, not only for sleeping—but for our family. Maybe someday we’ll have grandchildren jumping on it. You never know.  As time passes, no doubt this bed will have stories of its own.

“Yes,” I said to the woman. “I’m ready.”

 

Do you love bed? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share. Thank you!

Comments(52)

    • Heather

    • 8 years ago

    Oh my, yes!! I love our bed. We have always welcomed our children in our bed. As babies, I nursed them there. As toddlers and littles they were there during storms, after nightmares or simply when they wanted us close. As teens and college students our bed has been a spot of comfort during breakups and for sharing the challenges of friendships or school. I think of it as a cocoon for my family. But, we also need a new one! This bed is 15 years old and the memory foam does not work well with the hot flashes. 😊

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Laughing about the hot flashes, Heather. Glad we’re not the only ones who have bed as such a central part of our lives. I’m not sure there’s anywhere more nurturing. Thanks for reading.

  1. Loved it…yes, if my bed could talk…oh no then again, maybe it shouldn’t…

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      So funny! Yes, Renee, maybe its best all our beds stayed mum. Thanks for reading!

  2. Oh that’s awesome! I can’t say we have put that much thought or love into our bed/mattress situation but I enjoyed reading about yours!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks for reading, Paula. Yes, being “bed people” is a little embarrassing but what can you do?

  3. Hey, maybe you and I actually had “memory foam” mattresses before they were a thing! My bed, too, is a big keeper of memories for me, decadent breakfasts in bed, snuggling with a baby and a dog or two, a welcome reward after a hard day and a place of refuge from life’s heartbreaks. I adore the pillowtop mattress we have now. True confession, I actually say aloud “I love my bed, I love my bed so much” when I get in at night. My husband says he wishes I got as excited about who was IN the bed with me! 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Laughing, Lee. I’m sure you’re also excited by your bed companion! I must confess, it took several nights to get used to “Memory Foam” and then I grew to love it. I agree though. At first it was like sleeping on concrete. I much prefer the pillow top.

  4. I love my bed. I am in bed now reading blog posts. My girls and I used to watch TV and read in bed together and now my grandchildren join me! Great post from a fellow bed person!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Cathy, So glad I’m not alone in my bed-love. Thanks so much for reading.

  5. I LOVE this post—-I feel the same way about our bed. So many memories……some good, some not so good. I now have a new memory foam mattress and I always joke that this bed loves me—hugs me and doesn’t want me to get up in the mornings!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Marcia, I know that “can’t get out of bed” feeling. They’re so comfortable. Thank you for reading.

  6. We just bought our third mattress too Laurie. I love my bed so much I have separation anxiety throughout the day, only relieved by the embrace of my friend Serta at about 10:00 each night. I have my first cup of coffee each morning with Serta and on weekends I stay for my second cup. It’s a great give and take relationship – her giving and me taking. Loved your post.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Molly, we sound like true soul sisters. I have the same relationship with the bed in my life. I need to touch base with it as often as possible. Thanks for reading!

  7. I’ve not had much opportunity to fall in love with a bed – having been in so many! No, naughty ideas now, Laurie. It’s just that I’ve moved a lot as a child and a young adult. And post marriage too, we’ve bed hopped. 😉

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Corinne, I was getting intrigued by all the bed action!… lol. Yes, we’re pretty boring on the bed front, come to think of it. Just one bed every 20 years? What’s the matter with us?

  8. We just got a new bed ourselves. It seems to be taking a while to really get used to it. Much better than our old one however. Good luck to you!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks Beth. Our bed just arrived and yes, we’re still getting adjusted to it. We’re used to all the old bumps and lumps. A smooth, firm mattress feels strange. Thanks for reading!

  9. After reading this, I realize I need a new bed! It’s amazing how much time we spend on our bed. I’m usually watching TV or reading in my bed. I, too, have had many one on one intimate talks with my kids from the comfort of my bed. I didn’t realize it was that much of a thing until I read this. Nice thoughts Laurie!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Thanks, Laurie. Its embarrassing how much I love my bed, but what can I do? Glad to know, you understand.

  10. We love our bed but it’s so difficult picking out just the right one! Last year we moved into my parent’s house and had to make use of the adjustable bed base that was already in the room (moving it would be like moving a building!). We got a new mattress for it but still don’t love it although we’re slowly getting used to it.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Shelley, That would be challenging, having a bed you don’t love. Hopefully you’ll get used to it.

  11. Did you feel like Goldilocks trying out the mattresses? This was awesome, Laurie.. I loved it

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Renee, We were both like Goldilocks, looking for something not too hard or too soft! So funny, and a nice relief to find something we both loved.

  12. Thanks for the lovely mattress memories. I found myself reflecting back over my own.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Pennie, Phew, I thought I was the only one with great memories of bed (besides the obvious). Thanks for reading!

  13. Our bed is our ‘visting place’ as well!
    Our first bed was a slab of granite I had ‘borrowed’ from my parents house when I went away to school. It lasted until my second pregnancy. (Well, it’s probably still out there somewhere-just as hard and unforgiving as ever!) That’s when we bought our beautiful Beautyrest. Which, after twenty-five years and six kids, became known as ‘Old Lumpy’. O.L. was replaced by King Beautyrest, (Yes, we were both larger people. We needed the space.) and is now home to two grandparents and seventeen grandkids. Fortunately not all at once.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Diane, Laughing. Yes two grandparents and 17 grandkids would make for one crowded bed!

  14. Yes, my family is a bed family too. We snuggle up and watch movies or stupid TV shows. Good memories.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Yay, Shari! Always good to know we’re not the only ones.

  15. Delightful story, Laurie! You know that saying, “There’s no place like home?” I think it’s referring to the comfort of our own bed.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      I can’t think of any more soothing place than bed. Its probably where I feel safest in the world.

  16. I used to hold “meetings” on my bed too, late night ones. When my son was a teenager, he went through that “my parents aren’t cool and I can’t be seen talking to them” phase. Since our house was a hub and his friends would just walk in unannounced, he didn’t dare talk to me during the day…what if someone walked in? Instead, at night, you could usually find him sitting at the foot of my bed as he told me about his day.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jennifer, That is the sweetest thing and shows what a wonderful, wise, sensitive mom you are. No wonder he came to you for advice and to be close, even if it had to be surreptitiously.

  17. How come I’m misty-eyed over a post about beds?! But you are absolutely right. If beds could talk! We went from a slab of granite to our first Beautyrest. And when the ‘beauty’ had been thoroughly beaten out of it, we bought a second. Which we’re on now. We can fit three grandchildren between us on that bed. True story . . .

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Diane, I can’t wait for the grandchildren stage of bed. Laughed over the slab of granite. Glad you graduated to the Beautyrest!

  18. I have always been throw the little ones on the bed and make them giggle! Yes mattresses are expensive but not compared to other things that we change up sooner like a car or a washing machine, yet…

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Haralee, Our beds seem to last a long time, although we probably keep them longer than we should. The “little children” stage of beds is both fun and cozy. Brings back memories.

  19. Such an interesting way to look at stages of life, through the lifetime of a bed. Didn’t think I’d ever be saying this, but I’m going to be looking at my current (and past) beds a little differently now.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Karen, Thank you!

  20. We’re the same way. Bed is the place where we hang out, eat sometimes & talk or watch TV. It’s always been the family meeting place. Don’t know how that happened, but it did. We need a new one. This mattress is 8 years old and it needs to be put to sleep lol. I want a sleep number bed that moves up and down. Now I just need to rob a bank to pay for it.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Rena, Yes, beds are pricey. Glad we’re not the only “bed family” out there!

  21. Our family meetings were always on my parent’s bed growing up. It was the epicenter of our house. My mother studied for grad school on their bed. Our pets slept on it or under it. Man I miss that.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Lauren, For us, it was always the coziest place in the house after a long day.

  22. A family’s history as seen from the family bed. Who would have thought it would be so poignant?!
    Beautiful!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Diane, Thanks so much!

  23. Right now I’m sleeping on a twin bed in my own room. Sometimes with 1-2- or even 3 small dogs. Sometimes they sleep underneath it in the “hole” because I have boxes stuffed underneath with one little space. It’s the dog’s hide-out.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Rebecca, Dogs are pack animals and its amazing the small places they love squeezing into. Just as much as cats.

  24. What a great connection to history, Laurie!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 months ago

      Carol, Thanks so much!

  25. You wax elegant and poignant in your ‘bed’ memories. I wax poetic. What is it about these pieces of furniture? I guess, when you think about it, it’s where we spend a full third of our lives! More, even if we’re ‘everyone on the bed, let’s chat’ people!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 months ago

      Diane, I’d probably faint if I added up all the hours on my bed!

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