the balloon in our kitchen this morning 

My first early marriage ended in amicable divorce, my second late marriage -- short and sweet and loving -- in widowhood. I've been on my own since 2001, and actually for much of my adult life.

So I wrote with delight about my surprise third marriage one year ago. Finding love is always special. Finding love and a life mate when you're in your 60s is both unexpected and bittersweet. And it's been a little miracle, really, and I hope an inspiration for others who may be wishing for unexpected love. 

Paraphrasing Elizabeth Barrett Browning's line, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways," I'd like to count some of the whys: small things, basic things, which add up to respect, affection, attraction, trust and a new/old love that keeps on growing. 

 I love my husband because he 

... makes me feel desired, even though I'm past the age I expected to feel that way. Who knew?

... is so kind to my family.

... keeps the toilet seat and the car top down. 

... isn’t jealous of my cat, who adores me and tolerates him and sometimes sleeps between us on purpose.  

... leaves me a love note along with my breakfast cereal, fruit, and coffee each morning.

this morning, with added anniversary things 

I love my husband because he

... doesn’t put down that I watch reality tv, and even sits down next to me for a few minutes until he can’t stand it anymore and sneaks away.

... reads my OS posts without me having to ask him to (and he usually rates!). 

... will say yes to just about anything within his abilities (including ziplining and buying chairs that look like swings) although I try not to abuse the privilege, which is perhaps why he says yes, even though I don't fish with him, which he would like me to do but which I really, really dislike and I guess I'm not quite as accommodating as he is.

... gives me lots of space, and time to myself, just as he said he would. He keeps his word.

... takes care of chores and details I dislike most, like taking out garbage, figuring taxes and pumping gas, not necessarily in that order.

... tells me this has been the best year of his life, and I believe him because it's probably been mine, too.

I love my husband because he

... honors the fact that I've loved before. 

... praises my cooking, cleans his plate, and then cleans the dishes.

...  hasn't clipped my wings -- not even a feather. In fact he's become the hurricane-force wind beneath them. 

... has never once said a thing about the 20 pounds I need to lose – except that he loves me just the way I am and that he likes a "juicy" woman.

... appreciates and mentions kindnesses I do for him. Even little ones, like rubbing his neck or bringing him a diet coke. I enjoy pleasing him even more because he pleases me, and so on and so on.

 ... can dance, I mean really move, which I didn’t know when I married him. I missed slow dancing more than almost anything (see next item).

... doesn't need a blue pill. Evah.

... makes me smile whenever I see him, and smiles right back at me which often ends in a hug.  

... keeps telling me 'it's getting even better." And it is. It really is.

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Happy First Anniversary, dear Bill! May this be the first of many, with continued love and health and joy.

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