Warm Memories

The man I dated and married for over 40 years was a romantic! Often he would send me an email titled ‘kidnap alert.’ The email would state the time of the abduction and the items that should be packed and ready. He was a delightful human! Sometimes we would just be driving and as various exits came up along the route i would try to guess our destination. He NEVER told me. Each time he kidnapped me the surprise factor added to the romance and fun.

There were big and small adventures. I remember in the last days how he came home one afternoon and handed me a brochure of the Holy Land. Puzzled, I asked him what this was. Next he handed me the confirmation of our trip. This had been my hearts desire for as long as i could remember. Israel was MY dream, not his. He knew he was dying. He wanted to give me EVERY wish I had every had, and he knew them all.

He gave them all.

There are so very many happy adventures and ‘dates,’ it is difficult to highlight just one. But here goes. It was an email alert. Pack your best clothes, come hungry and plan to be gone for 48 hours. He gathered my excited self around 4 pm. We drove to the heart of the city, near the Seattle Center, actually. He found a delightful little B and B right at the bottom of Queen Anne hill. There were roses and sparkling cider in the room, and lovely music playing.

Around 5:30 he instructed that the pretty clothes were to be worn now, so I obliged. We had a lovely dinner in a quiet place. Then he took us back to the room and told me to put on my walking shoes. HE carried my pretty shoes in a little bag he already had prepared. We left the B and B and began to walk down the street. “Turn left” was his only instruction. We did.

Soon we came to the Opera House. I saw the marquee and caught my breath. “Romeo and Juliet” it said. He took me to a ballet of one of the most beautiful love stories of all time. “I would die for you, if necessary.” That was all he said at the intermission, and as we walked back to our nice resting place, the tears of thanksgiving rolled down my cheeks. How could I ever deserve such love? After the horrible years of my past, how did God every find this amazing man to rescue me? I will never fully know nor understand the grace of God and how he orchestrated this amazing life for me.

I just know that the years i had with Steven were the ‘very best date’ anyone could desire.

PS. The next day, i relaxed in the room while he bid a print for his next project. My man did his life (construction) and in the doing, he chose me to be his helper. What a privilege; what an honor; what a responsibility. Thank you, my love.

I miss your sawdust.