Monday, May 25, 2015

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.

31 comments:

  1. That is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Patrice couldn't ask for a more beautiful thing to find when she wakes up!! Congratulations to both of you. You are both very blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well if that isn't the most romantic thing I've ever read! Happy Anniversary and many more. Thanks for a sweet start to my day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. absolutely beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That was beautiful! Patrice is a blessed woman to have so much love in her life, and your children are blessed to have two parents who love each other so devotedly. Many more years of happiness to you both.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fine and beautiful example to your girls! Happy anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Anniversary! That letter is precious and beautiful and couldn't be bought in any store at any price.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Don, you're the kind of man a mother would be very pleased to see her daughter have a life with.

    A lot of men would buy a card and a gift and maybe dinner out, but you?

    Nooooooo. You go and write something like this and post it here, where the whole world and your bride can see and appreciate the depth of your respect, appreciation and devotion.

    I agree that your wife is a treasure, and will remind you of this: It takes one to know one.

    Happiest of happies on your special day, and many, many happy returns.

    A. McSp

    ReplyDelete
  9. All I can say is WOW! I had to shed a few tears, too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful! Congratulations you two!
    Blessings,
    MB

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, just beautiful!!!
    How blessed you two are, to have that kind of love between you!!!
    Tears flowing here!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. 'Just awesome. Keep up the good work, you two.
    Melissa in MI

    ReplyDelete
  13. Absolutely beautiful . But as a longtime reader of your blog I'm wondering, who's Maeve??

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations! May the Lord bless you with another 25 years as happy as the last ones!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have always been an overly emotional, mushy guy. I have to admit, this was no exception. Happiness for you both, Patrice and Don, and happiness for the love I have for my wife of 45 years. She was an answer to prayer and I have been very grateful for that. The Holy Spirit answered my prayer in such a wonderful way that I have been totally convinced ever since that there truly IS a God, His Spirit and His Son. God bless you two! --Fred in AZ

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow. very, very nice... Who says old school guys are not romantic? Happy Anniversary!

    Montana Guy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bless you, both. Don, do me a favor please and write this out in longhand, too, just so she can always hold it in her hand as she reads it (in years to come). A truly wonderful gift.

    ReplyDelete
  18. WOW !! Am I able to type this with tears in my eyes !?
    Don, do you have a clone? Send him to me in Hatfield, Arkansas.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just lovely. Happy Anniversary YA two love birds.

    ReplyDelete
  20. That was beautiful Don! Like you two, my wife Kathy and I have been blessed to find each other!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gee Whiz, Don, you make the rest of us look like slobs. On a serious note, Good job, Congratulations and may God Be With You both.
    Frank

    ReplyDelete
  22. Computer acting up...Don't know if my comment made it through, so I'll say it again:

    Mrs. Lewis makes a gorgeous bride! And the two of you make a magnificent couple!

    Just Me

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful. Both of you. I cried too and we've never met. God continue to bless you and your family.

    Learning in NY

    ReplyDelete
  24. So beautiful. You all are blessed! Thank you for sharing such a milestone with your readers.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oops! That was from me, Ouida Gabriel

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautifully Put Don. I'm in my 30th year with my help mate and value her as much as you do yours. Its Sad how many relationships don't observe biblical marriages where the Husband worries about the Wifes needs and the Wife reponds in kind. You are Blessed to have gotten it right the 1st time.I wish you many more days of celebrations .Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Such heartfelt love put into words! Don and Patrice, you are beautiful inside and out and a finer example of marriage could not be found. Thank you for sharing your love story of life lived well, together, with us readers.

    Bless you. Now I must get another kleenex.

    sidetracksusie

    ReplyDelete