When I was a girl of seventeen, I had already found the man I’d marry. We were high school sweethearts then and are old married folks now. As we began to date in our senior year, my true love sent me a handwritten note with the words from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem, “How Do I Love Thee?” I was so impressed, thinking he had actually penned the words. Remember, I was seventeen and not extremely well versed in poetry. When I finally discovered the truth, it was too late. I was already madly in love with the guy.
We will celebrate 55 years of marriage this year and I still feel the same as I did then. We’ve been battered by life through the years. We’ve gone through difficulties together. We’ve struggled with finances. There were times we didn’t trust, grew angry and even walked out on each other, but one common thread kept bringing us back together. The cord wouldn’t have been complete and able to endure all those things, had not God been a part of our lives together.
When you love someone, you overlook their flaws. You try to see the best in each other. You work together to solve problems. You help each other physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. You lift each other up when one falters. You share your hopes and dreams and strive to accomplish them with God’s help. You don’t grow impatient with each other. You share the physical connection of intimacy with no shame, because God has blessed this part of your marriage as well. You confide in each other. You encourage each other. You inspire, build each other’s confidence, you love without conditions – most of the time.
God’s love is even greater. His love is totally unconditional. He loves us, broken and soiled, because He has rescued us from the clutches of sin. He loves us so much that He became one of us, experienced life as we do, never gave into sin, yet carried the load of everyone’s transgressions to the cross. He suffered and died for us. He rose again to show that He could conquer death and that we will also. He inspires us with His Holy Spirit and gives us eternal life.
Now that’s what I call true love!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
atimetoshare.me 
you and Paul are just absolutely great!!!
Much love to you both and much more love to come!!!
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Well thank you for making my day. We are far from great. We’re more like survivors, but I guess that what love is all about, isn’t it. You and Gregory are great too!
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Gee, your story is very similar to ours a couple of years later. Only God can hold us together. We are just now enjoying the fruits of His labor.
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Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your wife ❤️❤️❤️
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Ahhh,how sweet! Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Anniversary, too!
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This is so beautiful. Happy tears!
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Awww thanks. I’m so blessed and so are you.
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Oh and by the way , frank Sinatra is singing in my head— “when I was seventeen…it was a very good year..”
Probably not in real life but maybe it was, I don’t remember 🤪🎼🎤
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🎹🎷🎼🎧🎼🎻
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Thank you, Kathy, for we echo the same sentiments from fifty-eight years. The years through difficult season us for the latter ones. Wishing you much love and many more blessings together. 🙂
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Thanks for your encouragement. I pray there will be many more years together.
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That’s awesome! Love reading how married couples met! Congrats to you both ❤️
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