A Love Letter

Remember before we met? You were a 36 year old, divorced father, caring for a young daughter and I was an almost 22 year old young woman in the process of divorcing my first mistake (I mean husband), after what had to be one of the shortest marriages in history. I might make mistakes quickly, but I fix them even quicker.

Who knew we'd ever meet or have a first date? The fortune teller who told you that you would soon meet someone important to you and she'd be considerably younger with a name that began with an "S". (My married name at the time was Smith); She knew.

Remember when you came to the Chamber of Commerce where I worked? You were there to give a speech and spent a whole lot of time looking at me. I knew you were going to ask me out and, in a rare show of shyness, I hid in the Women's bathroom until you'd left.

Who knew we'd eventually go on that date and hit it off so well? You must have had a pretty good idea, since you persevered, overcame my shyness and asked me out; You knew.

Remember the night we were married? A typical Texas Blue Norther blew in and the wind almost tore the church steeple off while we were reciting our vows. Who knew you'd be the best husband and father that God ever made? My mother, before the ceremony, told me you were the best man she'd ever met in her life and that if I hurt you, she'd never forgive me; She knew.

Remember when I became pregnant with our first child? There were complications and the first doctor I saw told me not to even tell anyone I was pregnant, because I was going to lose the baby.

Who knew that baby would thrive, be born and grow up to be a strong, handsome, caring, loving and successful 22 year old college graduate? When I came home from that first doctor's appointment, you held me tight and told me not to worry, that everything would be alright; You knew.

Remember when my parents were the people I counted on to comfort me; to advise me; to counsel me and to guide me? Their opinions were the ones that mattered to me.

Who knew that one day you would take their place; that you would be my base, my guide, my counselor, my advisor, my confidant and the most important person in my life? When our youngest was severely ill, my mother and I were walking out of the hospital after having his chest x-rays taken. You walked in just then and when I saw you, all the stress and fear ran out of me. I could breathe again and I knew everything was going to be alright; I knew.

Remember when we started this life together, over 24 years ago? Who knew we'd stay together, building a wonderful life, becoming closer, better, and more in love every day, until we can't even imagine a life without each other? I think we BOTH knew.

I love you Roger.