The True Meaning of Love

Hello my love.  I cannot believe that twenty-seven years went by so fast.  I can still taste the strawberry gloss of our first kiss.  You were so beautiful, Anna, your long brown hair with those big curls teasing the curves of your beautiful body.  Your blues eyes were like beacons to my soul, calling out to me, telling me I needed to find out more about you.

I couldn't believe it when you agreed to dance with me that night at the 4th of July festival.  Holding you close to me, feeling your warmth - it wasn't a cold night, but you made me want to hold you closer.  You were simply irresistable.  Before we knew it the song was over, and you agreed to walk with me.  We walked and talked, and then sat to watch the fireworks. 

The real fireworks did not start until the night was over, and we had to part.  It seemed our time together was ending too soon, and I didn'tt want to let you go.  I was so scared, but I couldn't let you go without knowing how those gorgeous lips tasted.  It was a soft, sensual, strawberry kiss.  I can still taste it.

Two years later we were married, and I must say, my love, I have never regretted that for one moment.  Marrying you was sweet surrender.  I have found what true love really is - a forever love, not to be taken for granted. 

At first, it was a physical attraction, but over the years, you have shown me just how much one person can sacrifice in the name of love.  You put my needs ahead of yours, and worked while I went to college.  Then you gave me three beautiful girls, as precious as their beautiful mommy.  You made our home a haven, a place I wanted to run to just to be with you and escape the rest of the world. 

We never imagined there would be a drunk driver heading in our path that night we went on an ice cream run.  Oh, how many days I have wondered how our lives would have been if only I had not said, "Doesn't Rocky Road sound good?"  Rocky Road.  Hmmm, little did we know.

I don't know if I would have been as strong as you, Anna, if the drunk driver had hit your side and not mine.  Would I have been able to care for you as well as you have cared for me?  You sacrificed so much, all because, as you continually remind me, you love me.  You are my angel here on earth and I truly don't know how I would have ever survived without you.

You've spent twelve years caring for me as if I were one of the kids, loving me like a husband, but me not being able to love you like a husband should.  Sure, we could share those great strawberry gloss kisses, but that was all we could do.  We did share endless nights of long, loving conversations.  Those are precious in and of themselves, and I treasure them. 

We watched our girls grow into young women, then go off to marry and start families of their own.  You held me when I cried in frustration.  You made me laugh when I would get so mad at not being able to do the simplest task.  You cheered me on when I managed to learn to do something new -- like typing on this laptop computer using the voice recognition program  Who'd have ever thought of that? 

Twelve years is a long time to be a quadriplegic.  How many times have we prayed that Christopher Reeves would set an example and lead to a cure?   He's gone now, but the fight is still on.  If you're reading this letter, I take it I lost my fight as well.  We both knew the time was coming soon.  I knew I needed to write this letter to you, to tell you how much you mean to me, and how you have taught me the true meaning of love.

My sweet Anna, please don't feel sad.  Revel in the good times we have had.  Don't mourn for the times we won't or didn't have.  I had a good life, my love.  I had a wife that loved me sacrificially, unconditionally, and endlessly.  I learned the true meaning of love - I found it in you.  Not many people get to do that, Anna, and I don't regret one moment of it.  I will always treasure those strawberry kisses, and the one that gave them to me.  You now have an unchained heart, my love.  Live the life you've dreamed, for I know you will love again.

Your adoring husband,

Michael