For 69-year-old musician/educator Grady Harris, it’s been a wild ride. He completely changed from a nomadic free-loving wanderer to a caring life-long mate. Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Marcia Wood, 66, Harris reflects on a life filled with adventure, creativity, and finally, the warmth of lasting companionship.
During his formative years, Harris honed his skills as a creative guitarist and singer with the band Two Legs. He created a singular space that highlighted his sonic genius. His love for music has never waned and has always been an integral part of his existence. It wasn’t until he met Wood that he started to learn what commitment really looks like.
Twelve years after their first date, Harris found herself at a retrospective at Georgia’s Museum of Contemporary Art. He almost didn’t attend the Congressional Black Caucus’ event with Wood. The couple’s relationship blossomed over the years, culminating in a heartfelt wedding ceremony where Harris’s father, a Presbyterian preacher, presided over their vows. For Harris, this moment represented the apex of her campaign. It was the first time that he’d just felt like a part of the world that he belonged to and this deep joy.
“And when my father told us to kiss, and we did, I felt a sense of joy that I’d never felt before,” – Grady Harris.
Harris’s road to love was not free of tribulations. Having never come out, in his 30s he moved to Germany for the sole purpose of prolonging an unsustainable romantic relationship. After this experience, he moved to the Czech Republic to teach English. Even with these adventures, lasting commitment was hard to come by for most of his adult life.
Coming back to the United States in his 40s was a watershed moment for Harris. He felt secure in his stability, never switching jobs, working the same place for 25 years. This newfound security provided him with an opportunity to live independently for the first time, allowing him to become “the first owner of most of my clothes for the first time in my adult life.”
Marcia Wood joined Harris’s journey four years after they started dating. So she out of the blue proposed to him. For Harris, this question was the catalyst to an amazing shift in his awareness about relationships. His self-reflection on the distinction between infatuation and true love only underscored how much he adored her.
“I admired her … I get infatuated easily, but love takes time,” – Grady Harris.
The couple’s bond deepened over time, as they navigated life’s ups and downs together. Their collaboration has included a dose of adventure and a great deal of mutual respect.
“Living with Marcia is an adventure. I guess that sounds pat. But it’s true. Living well with someone is a challenge. Not because of them, but because of oneself …” – Grady Harris.
During his childhood, Harris struggled with feelings of financial insecurity and how its effects seep into personal relationships. His words on the isolating nature of money and how the lack of it can leave people set up to fail still ring true today.
“The lack of it makes you very vulnerable. Not having a career meant no dependable income, no pension building,” – Grady Harris.
Through all that adversity, though, Harris has become an indomitable spirit, deeply in love with his wife, Luz, and secure at home amid his triumphs. Yet he’s grateful for the path that led to his arrival here. Each experience has contributed to who he has become today.