I am indeed the luckiest of men. How many, do you think, are able to say after 27 years of marriage, that their partner is still the best person they know?
We both attended Wheaton College outside of Chicago, but we didn't meet on campus. It was in England, on a summer study tour at Oxford that we became friends. I was stupid enough to be engaged to someone else at the time, which didn't hurt the friendship begun in England, but because of the engagement promise, my future and current bride and I were nothing more than good friends. It may have been the best thing after all.
The pic above was taken in 1980 after my first attempt at marital bliss crashed and burned. The future bride had come down to the train station in Del Mar from LA where she was on a business trip. We were still friends four years after college, but this time things took off. I moved to Dallas from my apartment just steps away from the Pacific soon after our meeting, and my luck has continued since. This May it will be 28 years—the best years of my life with the best person I know. The best part of it all is that she loves me unconditionally.
Eve, my bride of 27 ½ years, just before our wedding in 1981
The bride with the third of three, and co-authors of Evan Brain! The Adventures of a Delusional Kid Superhero!
A couple of years ago
The bride with the first of three. A portrait study in contrasts (black/white male/female infocus/outoffocus older/younger/ mother/son smiling/not etc.)
And my favorite picture of rare and enduring beauty:
The beauty that is the most important is the one that you all cannot see, what comes from within. Her strength, devotion to family and friends, determination to fight all the things that assail us and her personal battles are all things that bloom on the surface and add to the beauty already there, but are the better, stronger part.
I'm so lucky.
I love you dear, happy St. Valentine's.
update: I sent the link to this post via email with the subject line "in lieu of a card." She called back in a little while and was all verklempt.
Last year I made her homemade oreo cookies...they were good too, but she likes this year's sentiment a bit more.
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Comments
I love to hear stories of happy marriages. Keep sending hope and beauty to the world.
Happy Valentine's Day from one lucky guy to another. :-D
Yes Sandra, I wish you the same happiness I've enjoyed for so long. Thank you.
Bill, I know, we both married up!
Happy Valentine's Day to you both.
UK, I'm glad you see the beauty too. And happy Valentine's Day to you as well.
Lea, I don't think it takes much to make you smile, glad to be a part of it though, thanks
Mary, I think you know us pretty well, thanks for your lovely comment.
Susan, it's a pleasure to be in your orbit too. We have great friends here. I love the community, and love being able to share this kind of thing with dear friends here.
and you, are lucky.
The happiest of anniversaries to you!
Thanks Gary, I was hoping that would come through, that you and others would see it.
Thanks Josie, we're all in that generation where beauty matures into something enduring. (well, except for me).
Thanks Lisa and Lainey for stopping by. Lainey, you're right, everyone who meets her loves her.
Thanks Karen! Thanks Rob!
Marsha, you're one of the lucky ones here who've met her. Thanks for your kind words.
Steve, glad you stopped by. I know you too have have a wonderful and enduring love. Thanks for your kind comments.
You two seem the perfect Valentines. Thanks for sharing yourselves.
I just love people who can make marriage work for a long, long time.
Beautiful photos and story.
(rated)
Well done, mister.
The cookies were delicious I am sure but the words and photos, priceless. You are a very good man with a very wonderful wife.
thank you Ardee, lovely words
not always easy VR, as you may know, but glad that it's been good so far. thanks for coming by and for your words.
thanks OES
thanks Greg, good on you too!
Persephone, yes indeed it is, thanks
She is gorgeous. Can see the inner beauty in your photos of her.
Wonderful...
Coyote, we are indeed, thanks.
Thanks Susanne, I'm glad you have one too.
Katina, nice to end on a good note, thanks for your comments.
Freaky...I knew you would, but thanks for stopping by.
Thanks Faith and ktm, I am very appreciative of your kind comments
Lisa, lovely thoughts from you, thanks
She is gorgeous Steph, glad you think so too
Yeah Allie, it's true. She is so hawt.
ha! hyblaen we are lucky, me more so.
Oh no Roger, horrible holiday? You and m. a.h are peas in a pod then.
Monsieur, it's always a treat when you stop by, thank so much for your kind words.
Deb thank you so much, but no, none like me. Eve says I was the pick of the litter (for good reason).
You are a wonderful husband and a true romantic! Your wife is gorgeous, then and now.
xoxo happy lover dover day!
Beautiful photos as always, luminous, revealing, taken with and radiating love.
Hair styles don't interfere with my enjoyment of photos--I love them all and can't pick a favorite. My sister can't watch some of my favorite movies (Some Kind of Wonderful; Tamarind Seed) because they're "so 80's" or "so 70's" due to clothing and hairstyles.
Learned a new word too--"verklempt." Maybe I'll post a Valentine for my heart too. Thanks for sharing the love. It's contagious.
Mary
Cathy, thanks for coming by, just your presence anywhere amps everything up, you have such great energy.
Thanks Stacey, I hope you enjoy your day too with your trophy bride.
Mary, I read your post to honor Steve on this Valentine's. It has to be my favorite. Thanks very much for your kind words.
Thanks Marple! Everyone! Get over to Marples post about the Smiling Pig found here. It's a terrific story.
Barry, as always your photographs and your prose are filled with such clarity and beauty, you make us all love her too. Someday, in person, right?
Here's to 27 more Happy and Healthy Valentines.
It's nice to put a name and a face to your lovely bride. I think you're both very lucky.
Hey, and nice cookies!! She's a lucky woman to have you, too, seems like.
Thanks Shiral! amen.
David, glad you picked up on the "rare and enduring beauty." I don't know how she does it seeing as how I'm much less cute than I used to be.
Thanks psychomama. Best friends are the best indeed.
Rich, I was delighted to meet your trophy bride a few weeks back. She's a delight, great sense of humor, beautiful smile. You guys are a great pair. Thanks for your kind comments.
Emma, thanks for coming by. I really enjoyed reading your love story, one of the best from this past week.
May you have many more happy years! Best to you both.
I've missed your presence here on OS, and your postings. Hope everything is ok and hope for an update on what's going on in your corner of the world. Best to you, and thanks again.
Anne, I'm think you may not find your way back here since it's been a couple of months now, I'm sorry I missed seeing your comment here sooner...but thank you.
Beth, the gifts work both directions, as you know. Love is a volitional choice after the new wears off. I'm just lucky I got the girl of my dreams who loves me back...Luck is the operative word
Dewy, I know it's rare. I think you hit on something...without knowing...that I was determined to be the father I did not have, and that the kids need to have love modeled for them in order to get it imprinted. If you pm me your address, next time I make the oreo cookies, I'll send you some!
WAH, I know a bit of your story from what you've revealed on OS so it's really nice to get your lovely words, thank you so much. xo