Mitch,
It is our anniversary. I can’t believe we have been married for thirty-one years! Like every marriage, it wasn’t all easy, but we stuck together. I am so grateful we did—or should I say, you stuck with me!
I thought I’d write down a couple of my favorite stories of our love story. I know you know them, but I just feel the need to put them on paper.
The first happened years before we even started dating.
I rode the same bus to school as your then-girlfriend. One day she was talking about you and it caught my interest. What she was saying had me thinking, Wow, what a great guy!
I was curious to see what “this guy” looked like and, as my best friend and I were walking the halls at noon, I spotted this girl talking to you in the library. My friend and I went into the library and I snuck around the bookcases to get a better look at you. I turned to my friend and said, “I’m going to marry that man someday.” I completely forgot about this until she reminded me of it on our tenth anniversary. The minute she said “Remember when…” it immediately flashed in front of my eyes.
On our first date, you picked me up and we were driving to town.
We came to a four-way turn where you slowed down, leaned way over across the seat and gave me the softest kiss, and said, “I’ve been waiting to do that all day!” Oh my God! My heart and stomach were doing flips. Best. Kiss. Ever!
I am grateful for all the wonderful snapshots of everyday life we have had in these thirty-three years together.
We have had many high points with births, graduations, marriages and so forth, but it is the everyday ones that make up the fabric of our strong commitment to one another. That commitment has sheltered us through some tough storms, and is continuing to do so now with your cancer. Every obstacle we have overcome has only made our bond stronger.
With all my love –
Nicole
PS This was written prior to Mitch’s passing. To say that this anniversary will be difficult, is an understatement. Yet, I know he is still with me as he comes to me in many different ways. One way, I was looking in a mirror and I had a shadow of a perfectly shaped heart on my shirt. It stayed where it was “placed” when I moved my shirt. I smiled and stated, “I love you too, hon.” The heart then faded away.
xoxo. Happy Anniversary Mitch and Nicole. Thank you for sharing and I love that he still sending you his love.
Crystal,
Thank you! Yes, he is letting me know he is still with me in many different ways. I look forward to his visits as they comfort me and help me in my grief.
Hugs,
Nicole
Happy Anniversary! Think of you often and am thankful for you and your ability to share the most difficult of days with me/us. You are an inspiration. Blessings to you on this day.
Luann,
Thank you. It is wierd looking down at my hand seeing both Mitch’s wedding band and my wedding ring as I wear both of them. There are times I still am in disbelief and ask myself, “Why am I wearing his wedding band and not him?”
Hugs,
Nicole