Just have to share the card my wife gave me.

[John Schmidt]

This is the first year that we are alone, of the 21 we've spent together. We kept it simple with the decorations and the gifts and it was rather nice for a change. But the card she gave me, although simple in its message, it really got to me.

On the outside, it simply stated: I fell in love with you in one moment.....

Inside it said: I married you because I needed a lifetime to tell you why!  Merry Christmas.


I have every Christmas card and anniversary card she's ever given me, but none have affected me like this one. We met about February, 1990, and pretty much were inseparable from day one. This is our 21st Christmas together, and though we never found it necessary to live together we dated for over four years before "eloping."  We had to get married out of town, both of us had lived here for so long it would have been impossible to have a wedding with all our friends attending. I guess it would have been possible if we rented the local convention center. So, we "eloped" to Montana, got married in front of a waterfall in Glacier Nat'l. Park, and done by a Blackfoot Tribal Judge using the Blackfoot ceremony. Not a religous ceremony, but very spiritual. From there, we headed up into Canada as far north as Jasper, hitting all the great spots on the way up the east side of the Rockies, and down the west side coming back south. We had always hoped to revisit our honeymoon trip, but with her health issues now it just isn't to be.

Now, with both of us into our 70's, you might ask if the excitement is still there between us. Most definitely.....only more so. Just the other day in the mall, I was waiting for her to come out of a shop. With her Parkinson's, she approaches a bit unsteady, hunched over and shuffling somewhat, often either with a cane or a walker. But when I saw her coming toward me, she might just as well have been that young woman still in her 50's climbing a glacier with me in Canada those many years ago.

[donaldcc]

  Good for you and your wife John, you are a lucky guy.  Good wife and Valkyrie, you have more than most.  Happy Holidays to you and your family.

[Dogg]

God bless you both John. and Merry Christmas...

[HotRod]

Beautiful my man,you have found true love,but you didn't need me to tell that did you? God bless to you two.

[PharmBoy]

John, thank you for your testament to your good fortune, joy, and the pain in your life.  I know that some of us are luckier than others in life, but few of us are intelligent enough to recognize all the blessings we do receive.  You are a smart man.  May God bless and keep you, my friend...JTL

[R J]

Good on you and the missus.   Here's hoping ya have another 20 together...

On our 20th anniversary, we went to Branson, MO to get away from the hub hub.

That was a little bit before it really got famous and started building things up.

Lot of changes there and everywhere else in the world since then.

[solo1]

John I'm so glad that you and your wife have that something special.  Sometimes it's already there and sometimes it develops because of adversity (How well I know).  Either way it becomes stronger and stronger.

The very best to you and your wife, John.

Wayne

[Dubsvalk]

Awesome John!
Dubs

[NCGhostrider]

 

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for sharing that John. 

Have a very Merry Christmas.

[bigvalkriefan]

          Touching

[JerryB]

Good read from the card John.....Here's to many more years ahead for the two of you..... ......Happy Holidays ..JB.

[John Schmidt]

I had only posted the story as a means of sharing, but I do appreciate the responses. I know I'm not the only one facing uncertainties in life, but as you all know.....it hits harder when it's your mate. She is a fighter, the Parkinsons is but one issue she's facing and the daily meds make her deathly ill most mornings. Some days it's downright scary, some nights...it's even worse. It caused me to cancel my travel plans last summer after InZane. Yet, she has managed to keep her sense of humor through it all....not sure I could.

Re. the trend, did anybody notice it?  It was only male members that commented, which tells me they can identify with me when it comes to how they feel about their respective mates. To me, that speaks volumes as to the character of our men.

[HayHauler]

Great story John.  I pray that you and the missus continue to have a great life together.

Hay
Jimmyt