
I could tell him anything and he listened to everything. He made jokes and silly faces and I giggled incessantly. He came from a solid family and mine was fractured. But we fit. From the first date, we were inseparable.
He put up with alot and I gave him alot of grief. He was focused and I was flighty. But through it all, he loved me like no one ever had and I knew I had found a jewel.
We dated for five years, got married and have been married for thirty six years. His family took me in and loved me, just as he did, in spite of all my faults and I loved them back with all my heart.
Yep, there were times when I didn't know if we'd make it, but we started together, and because we didn't put divorce into the equation, we will end up together. Because we have put God and family above all else, we have been blessed beyond anything I could have dreamed as a young, directionless girl. Yep, there are times I don't like him and he doesn't like me, but our love and commitment stand in the gap. And, yep, we both have many faults, especially me, but decided a long time ago not to dwell on them.
We still have silly moments where we chase each other around the house (when we don't have back pain, joint pain, or general listlessness). Our favorite times are when all the kids and grandkids are in the house, making noises, watching ball games, yelling, eating and causing chaos, and the times when no one is there but us, our feet propped up, watching tv, and talking about the kids, the grandkids, and all the chaos.
He likes to pick at me, laugh at my southern accent and ways, and tell me how pretty I am. (You have to understand, he still sees me as the cute, giggly teenage girl he fell in love with, so don't tell him otherwise!)
He's never been a laugher...never just rared back and guffawed, he's more of a smiler with a twinkle in his eye, so I've always thought it my responsibility to make that twinkle show up. I love to do something that makes him grin, and even, occasionally laugh out loud. I feel such an accomplishment that I can do that when no one else can. And, yes, I'll do just about anything goofy to see that smile appear.
He knows all my secrets and I know all his...I think? hmm. Better check into that. He knows what buttons to push and I'm not sure, but I don't think he has buttons. He's always calm, well almost always, but generally calm.
He's been my rock during emotional upheavals, the death of our daughter, trials, and I've been his crutch during financial problems, long separations because of work, and the death of his parents.
I don't know what's ahead for us, but I do know that we'll face it together. I know that whatever it is, I'll have my best friend by my side. Of that, I'm very thankful.
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