By Elizabeth Hughes

“Just look at what I wake up to every morning.”

That’s former New York County prosecutor – turned Alexandria, Virginia local – Robert “Bob” Condon talking about his wife of 36 years, happy tears welling up in his eyes.

We’re sitting in a hip, Old Town restaurant where the Condon’s have ordered three glasses of Rose’ for what will be a 75-minute interview that feels more like a conversation with trusted friends.

Bob, or “Bobby” as Kathy aka Mrs. Condon refers to the noted attorney, listens to his wife talk about her career path and their respective lives together. It’s her turn.

He’s about a decade older now, but sitting here coiffed to perfection and reading the room, the only thing that gives away his 88 years are a pair of eyeglasses around his neck. I put on my own, taking notes and listening to Kathy, 73, discuss a path that took her from the massive campus at University of Minnesota to George Mason University – eventually – to pharmaceutical sales, and to a lucrative, twenty-five-year stint with Lexis-Nexis. She called on government accounts, lobbying firms, and other power players. Regarding the move out of pharmaceutical sales, she acknowledges that “…the pipeline ran out and I needed to make a change.”

Both Bob and Kathy say they didn’t meet through Lexis-Nexis, which is now known for breaking ground in legal AI.

“We saw each other around town (in the District) at a time that I was ending my first marriage. We were social acquaintances for several years,” says Bob.

For her part, Kathy says that in her 30’s she was determined to couple with someone who met her threshold and with whom she might age well. “I get asked this all of the time by younger women who want to meet the right man. And, the truth is, that I made a spreadsheet of what I was looking for in a man to make me happy.” She adds that time proved to her that Bobby met all of her requirements.

We’re all laughing now, but Kathy says, quite determinedly, “Number one, he was a good dancer. Number two, he was a good kisser. Number three, he had a sense of humor.”

The couple married in 1989 and made the move out of Georgetown to Alexandria in 1997.

Kathy says she would tell retirees with ‘means’ thinking to relocate here seasonally that it’s “small enough” to be comfortable, but “large enough” to be interesting. She further cites proximity restaurants, museums, and world-class culture – along with local gems like the Little Theater in Old Town itself. Bob adds, without hesitation, “It was the best thing that I ever did in my life.”

This, folks, is what they call “aging gracefully”. Bobby has another name for it, but we’ll get there.

Here are a few other quick takes on life from the dynamic pair.

MORE CROSSWORD PUZZLES, LESS TV

Kathy confesses to being a Wordle fan. Bob says he loves crossword puzzles, completing them “the Old School” way by picking up publications like The New York Times, in print.

Neither of them wastes their precious time in front of the TV.

Both opt, instead, to read a book a week – on average. Kathy remembers her Bobby returning home one night, “…with (something like) seven books in a bag.” They share notes on favorite titles and have donated an estimated 500 books to local libraries in and around Alexandria.

SUPER FOOD or FOODS that are SUPER

When asked initially about “super foods” (a modern health buzz word), she replies joyfully, “Foie gras.”

It’s the perfect answer from someone so elegant and attractive that she may have thought I meant a food that you think is “super.” She later changes her answer to cucumbers, which she says she knows how to pickle.

Bob says he loves “duck or chicken,” anything with high protein. He likes to cook, but he defers to his wife’s culinary skills. He adds that he also likes eggs for a healthy breakfast.

TRAVEL

Danish author Hans Christian Anderson once said, “To travel is to live.”

It seems to be a mantra for the Condon’s, who spend significant time traveling each year to destinations in the United States and several abroad. Bob proudly mentions his four children from his first marriage – and many grandchildren who are now all adults. The youngest of whom is 19 years old. Visits to see them have brought the Condon’s to Colorado, New York, and other destinations.

Kathy volunteers that Bobby is a planner, who recently put together a five-star River Boat trip on the Danube and allowed the couple to get an intimate appreciation for Budapest.

Both Condon’s chime in, at this point, saying that their friends refer to them as, “The Go and Dos.” This, in part, because of their wanderlust and also because their routines include staying active and fun.

THOUGHTS ON GETTING OLDER: ‘DON’T’

As we wrap up our time together at the restaurant, the Condon’s exude a happiness that you can’t fake. They say that they are so joyful that after decades together, they still “…finish each other’s sentences.” Then, Bob weighs in with closing thoughts for his peers in Alexandria and beyond.

Number one: On getting older, “Don’t.”

We all laugh joyfully at the dry delivery. (He’s just kidding. Sort of). The former prosecutor-turned civil attorney-turned Elder Statesman adds:

“Never let the ‘Old Man’ in.” He says that’s up for interpretation based on the individual. And then he added, “Think this to yourself everyday: I’m not aging gracefully. I’m aging gratefully.”

And just like that, my time with the Condon’s is at a close.

Bob gathers our wine glasses and pushes our chairs in for us ladies with the casual cool of a Maitre’D and they make their way over to join some good friends, who are waiting for them at the bar, for another wonderful night in Old Town.

Publishers Note: Those of you who have been loyal readers, met Bob in the October 2014 issue in this same space. You can read it again here -www.oldtowncrier.com/2014/10/01/robert-bob-condon.

About the Author: Elizabeth Hughes is a former entertainment journalist who has covered The Academy Awards, reality television, and breaking news. She has interviewed movie stars, rock stars, and authors. Her work in print dates back over 20 years with bylines and editing in national, regional, and community publications. These days, Ms. Hughes lives happily in Old Town with her boyfriend.