GAIL WHITE For this couple, marriage was literally a journey

Since I have been writing this column, I have heard a lot of moving stories.
I have been transported from the baggage of cares and worries that wrap up my world into the lives of others with far greater triumphs and tragedies.
When I heard of Charles and Paula Miner, I knew I had encountered the most moving story of all.
During their 44 years of marriage, the Miners have moved their household 32 times.
"It may be a few more," Paula confesses. "I've lost track."
OK, so their story isn't exactly moving in the sense of emotional or physical events, but it certainly puts perspective on the baggage of life.
This couple has taken the majority of people's most stressful situations and turned it into a hobby.
The Miners, most recently of Columbiana and The Villages, Florida, began their journey in Washington, D.C., when Charlie was a member of the Presidential Honor Guard.
The newly married couple rented an apartment, fully expecting to move when Charlie's tenure was through.
They found themselves in Massillon as Charlie joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol. They moved twice during his patrol tenure in Massillon and then moved to Louisville, just outside of Canton.
Transferred
Charlie was transferred to the OSHP's Lisbon barracks and the couple moved to Columbiana, where they were both reared.
On their third move within the village, they bought their first home.
"We moved in April," Paula recalls, "And moved out in January. I was eight months pregnant."
Charlie had been transferred to Findlay.
They rented in Findlay and later bought a home, only to have Charlie transferred once again. By now, the couple had three children.
Back in Columbiana, the Miners decided to build -- which they did, three times. Each house was within a quarter of a mile of one another.
"On the third house," Paula remembers, "They poured the patio on Friday. My daughter graduated on Sunday and we moved on Monday."
Charlie had been transferred to Middlefield.
"We thought this was it," Paula says, laughing at her foolish thinking.
Little did she know, her moving story was merely taking an intermission.
Through the years, the Miners have moved their family into action.
They bought and refurbished Paula's mother's house. They lived for a time with Charlie's grandfather. They bought one son's house and traded houses with Charlie's brother.
Lived on estate
They lived on the Timken Family Estate for a time when Charlie was in charge of security of the grounds.
When Charlie retired, the couple bought a condominium, decided they didn't like condo living and bought a house. Then sold the house and bought another condo which, they decided, they do indeed like.
They are living in the condo today -- or at least they were when I last spoke with them.
Of course, they are at the condo only in the summer. The majority of the year is spent at their home in Florida, which is the second vacation home they have bought.
The tone in Charlie's voice has me guessing this home will be going up on the selling block soon and the couple will be moving to a new vacation home this winter.
Curious of the dynamics between the two, I asked Paula if the moving has caused squabbles in their marriage.
She responded simply, "Oooh!"
For Charlie, the process is simple.
"Don't unpack, and have a lot of garage sales," he says.
Paula has simplified the process as well.
"I just get rid of things I know I'm not going to use." she says. But there is one bag she never leaves behind.
Whether she's going south for the winter or across town to a new home, Paula grabs the most recent pictures of her children and grandchildren. Then, she is ready to move.
gwhite@vindy.com