HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

To all my wonderful blog friends, I wish you a truly wonderful day.

I want to share with you my love story so I hope you don’t mind how personal this post will be.

 

 

I grew up in a very loving home with parents who loved each other on this earth for 67 years until Mom died and that love continues today. I have two sisters, one of whom died as a baby before I was born, and a younger brother. We lived next door to my grandparents – my Dad’s parents. A very ordinary wonderful family.

(My brother, Rob) My parents raised me to be an independent person for which I am so grateful to them. I was always heavy, even as a child. So dating wasn’t a part of my high school years and I think that also contributed to my independence. When I was in my 20’s my weight increased and so did my loneliness. My 30th birthday was one of the most horrible times of my life because I was alone. I had wonderful, wonderful friends but no special person in my life.

At the age of 31 I decided to have gastric by pass surgery. This was back when this surgery was brand new and required many weeks of recovery. I came through the surgery with some problems but as the weight began to come off, I was ecstatic.

At this time I also got a job promotion within the IRS and moved to Washington, DC. A whole new life for me where I finally started dating. But still not anyone that I felt that special connection with. As the years passed I became very content with my single life. I traveled often (always have had that gypsy spirit), I was dating some really nice guys, had a lot of great friends, and was very happy.

Then one night at a country western dance hall, this guy asked me to dance. After the hall closed, a bunch of people went out to breakfast and this guy realized my friend, Linda, and I didn’t have any idea where to go so he had us follow him. Then he paid for our breakfast – WOW – what a gentleman. As we left there, Linda said: “I think we’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of this guy.” (This is the Linda that joined us for our Niagara Falls adventure last September.)

What a true statement. This wonderful man became my husband. Not without some difficulties though. He had already been married twice and had vowed never to get married again. No way, no how, never. Isn’t it great that we always have the option to change our minds if we’re willing to open up our hearts.

We will be married 25 years on our anniversary this year and I love him more now than ever.

These are the words from the card he gave me this morning:

To My Wife

Remember when it all began … when all we had was each other and that was enough? But our life is so much richer now. We’ve dreamed together, worked hard together, and seen some of our dreams come true. We’ve made a good life for ourselves with the best family anyone could ask for.

What we have now is so much more than what we started with and yet it’s still the same… We have each other and that will always be enough for me.

Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you.

Jim

I love stories with happy endings.