Oregon daily emerald., January 30, 2001, Page 4B, Image 16

008374
lusioelu
ridal
101 E. B. Ave.
Drain, OR 97435
541-836-2916
Hotyour ordinary Bridal store.
^Find your gown, cake,
flowers, tuxedos, invitations,
reception needs and rental
items all at one location.
^Exclusively Bridal carries
over 150 gowns in stock along
with shoes, veils, gloves, and
other accessories.
3&We also have a one-of-a-kind
OUTDOOR DANCE
FLOOR, 15x15 feet.
#A short 40 minute drive south
of Eugene (Exit 162)
I Coleman
continued from page 1B
said put a lot of strain on married
I couples around them. Couples
broke up because of the strain of
poverty and academic rigor. The
Colemans made it.
“It was very stressful,” Mrs.
Coleman recalled. But she looked
at it as an extension of college
| years and found creative ways to
I make what little money they had
stretch. “The only thing' that
strained us was not having time
together.”
In 1971, he made the transition
from teaching theater as a gradu
ate student to teaching English in
a department that lacked empha
sis on African-American litera
ture. He was breaking ground, and
! the work was time consuming.
“She’s always been in my cor
ner, no matter what has hap
pened,” Dr. Coleman said.
After the boys grew up a bit, it
was Dr. Coleman’s turn to support
Mrs. Coleman as she started a ca
reer. She wanted to further her ed
ucation and contribute to the fam
ily income, so she enrolled in the
education department’s licensure
program.
Throughout her career, she had
problems with administrations
and complaining parents because
of her disciplinary philosophy.
She said Dr. Coleman always lis
tened to her, though they never
discussed other teachers in front
of the children.
The fact that they were both ed
ucators is something Mrs. Cole
man said she believes helped
El stay perpetually strong as a
le.
—
“It’s not a cushy job,” she said.
“If you take it seriously, it’s a hard
job ... Had I not had the same pas
sion for education, that could
have made a clash. ”
To supplement their income,
and to provide an escape, the two
often performed musically togeth
er. Sometimes Mrs. Coleman sang
in the Ed Coleman Trio, and other
times, they had gigs at weddings
or other engagements.
When their sons became old
enough, they all performed as a
family.
At weddings, they would often
make bets on how long they
thought the marriage would last.
“We’ve lost a lot of bets because
it didn’t last as long as we thought
it would,” Dr. Coleman said,
laughing a little.
Because they share so many
songs, they don’t have a “song,”
but they do enjoy singing “My
Funny Valentine” to each other.
After 39 years, to keep romance
and fun in their relationship, the
Colemans still date. And because
both boys are now married men,
the Colemans have more time to
take care of themselves. They also
share a glass of wine every night.
“We have our differences, but I
can still look at him, and it pulls
me back into our relationship,”
Mrs. Coleman said. “I’m very
proud of him and how much he
has made of himself. He teaches
us more and more every day. ”
Dr. Coleman said friends often
joke around with him and ask
things such as, “How did you get a
woman like that?” He just tells
them, “I waited long enough.
“She’s still a good date.”
J
008316
The spirit of
your love
rings clear!
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it is also a combination of integrity,
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JEWELRY ART STUDIO
169 E. Broadway • 343-2298
Mon.-Fri. 10-6 p.m. Sat. 10-4 p.m.
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