A Love Letter

25 years ago - this day, I was blessed with the finest day of my life. On that day, the best woman in the entire world took a very risky gamble and accepted me as her husband.

 

We have led a life where for most of the years that have followed we've worked together. With relatively rare exceptions, we're never much farther apart than 2 or 3 hundred feet. Occasionally, I'll go do a craft show or she'll head off to a prepper convention. But on the average day I'll be in the shop and she'll be at her computer or in the kitchen. I'll hear something on the radio and rush in to tell her about it. We'll stop and talk about it. I'll kiss the back of her neck. She'll give me a hug. And I'll go back to my work...happy. When we find the time, we'll go for a walk - holding hands - and talk about the day or tomorrow or plans for the next year.

 In the evening, like tonight, she'll go to bed earlier than me and give me kiss before heading upstairs.

We don't really "celebrate" much. Every minute of the day seems so full. Kids, cows, garden, fences, chicken, shipping product, cleaning...working...living.

 Birthdays are noted; but without much fuss. Previous anniversaries usually are a kiss and and an "I love you". I can't speak for Patrice on this, but for me annual anniversaries just aren't that big a deal because I've celebrated 9,125 daily anniversaries so far, and I look forward eagerly to tomorrow and the next one.

Patrice may not always be first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning - But I get up only because she's here. She may not always be the last thing on my mind when I fall asleep - but I'm always the spoon she's nestled in. Patrice may not be on my mind every minute of the day - but there is no one and nothing that I think about more. She is the sunshine of my life - so I never fear the darkness. If I do something that makes me proud - it's because I want her to be proud of me. If I screw up, I feel bad because I never want to be less in her eyes.

I believe in God. I believe his Son died to take away the sins of the world. Still...I worry sometimes that when my day is done, and I face my Lord, the balance of my shortcomings might sway things against me. But if the Lord asks me to say one thing in my defense - one last chance to change my fate - I'll tell him that "Patrice loves me." And that must surely count for a lot.

And I will love her until the end of time.

Happy 9,125th anniversary Maeve.

I can hardly wait till tomorrow.

UPDATE: Folks, I didn't know Don put this up until I checked the comments this morning. I'm standing here with tears flowing down my cheeks because of the love my husband holds for me.

Happy anniversary, darling husband. I love you more than I can say.