A Tale of Love

To look at them, you would think they've been married 50 or more years. They hold hands everywhere they go. They finish each other's sentences.  Sometimes instead of words, they just give one another a knowing smile.  He knows what she likes, she knows what he likes, and habits, like gossamer spider webs, are woven throughout their lives. However, I knew this dear lady and her first husband who died shortly after we were introduced. In fact I sometimes still call her by her previous married name, a fact which makes her laugh, and her current husband say, "Well, he got her first." The twinkle in his eye as he grabs his wife's hand and kisses it is a pleasure to behold. "I'm just so blessed to have her now."

I admit to them that I'm in awe of the affection and love between them. She says emphatically that she never intended to marry again. She was absolutely NOT looking, especially so soon after her beloved husband had passed away. She still felt married to him, not surprising since they were married so long and sealed in the temple. But whenever she spoke to her friend on the phone, the time would vanish away and she would find herself shocked at how long they could talk. When they were together, things between them just felt normal and easy. The panic would hit each time their time together ended, when she would feel unfaithful to her husband and wonder what was possessing her mind.

He, of course, knew from the start that they were destined to be together. He told her so, too.  He let her object. He waited patiently, and continued to call and visit whenever it was possible. And he eventually won her heart.

He has won mine, as well. I like the way he smiles at her. I like his gentleness and his flirtatious manner with her. The way he teases her makes me grin behind my hand, and his respect for her is evident in his ever-present concern for her. He showers her with love, and she blossoms in it. If only all of us were so blessed!