As the story goes, up until twenty-three-and-a-half years ago, I had been looking for love in all the wrong places. Then one snowy winter night in the Midwest, I came to an impasse.
Standing on a street corner beneath the glow of a streetlamp, stood a tall man in a black coat. My head was inside a tied hood under a baseball cap to keep the sleet from stinging my squinting eyes. Even so, he recognized me, he said my name. I stopped. I looked. I said his, “Todd?”
Twenty-two years ago, we drove to the Little Chapel by the Sea, but it didn’t go according to plan. The Chapel wasn’t like the one in the photos. It was more like a miniature golf replica set on astroturf with a place for the bride and groom to stand in front of the preacher. I guess a lot of people wanted to get married by the sea.
We passed on that, had a good laugh and headed to the courthouse. Judge Waldo married us on the boardwalk. There was one moment I missed having a traditional wedding with music and just as the thought came, the birds sang. When we said our “I Dos” a church bell rang.
Now, twenty-four years later, our love has grown like the song we played in the car on the way to a restaurant on the water after our vows, “Truly Madly Deeply.” As I recall, there had been a fire and it was closed. There weren’t a lot of choices on Pawley’s Island that day, so we headed back to our place on the ocean—a work mate’s family cabin, $50 for the week—ate leftover stir fry and opened a bottle of champagne on the beach.
It was the second marriage for both of us. We wanted to do it quietly. But our love has grown as loud and lovely as the noonday sun sparkling over the water that day.
Today, we sit drinking our morning coffee with our dog, Fannie. T was willing to drive the 776 miles to see my (our) son and his wife so Fannie could come along. And Fannie is very happy about that.
See, love knows things other things don’t. Love sees and hears things other things can’t. Todd saw me on that snowy winter evening when anyone else on the street may have only seen a slumped over, sad divorcee. He saw me and he heard me say his name.
Now, I look at my son and his wife and I know my prayers were answered. This hasn’t been an easy time for any of us. It would be easy to fall into the pandemic “blahs” as the morning paper describes it. But love is worth fighting for—the kind of love that sees, that hears, that heals.
(And my darling? I’m looking forward to the next twenty-four years with you. Happy Anniversary Sweetheart. TMD0499.)
Happy Anniversary!
” love knows things other things don’t.”
What a great and true statement Deb. It sure points us in the right direction through life doesn’t it.
Love the pictures, they sure tell a good story
Wonderful, happy anniversary and many more 💐🎉🎊
Happy 22nd Anniversary! Blessings for many more!
Congratulations to both you and Todd. You’re right Deb, love knows things other things don’t. Love sees and hears things other things can’t. And that comes with time spent loving, accepting, giving and sharing and it is precious indeed. Wishing the the two of you many many more! God’s grace, peace and blessings to you and yours.
Thank you!
Thanks much!
Thanks much!
I love hearing the story about you in your hood and baseball cap meeting up with Todd in his black coat, all during a sleet storm, how you “knew” each other right away after many years. And I love how you two went to Pawley’s Island and found just the right place on the boardwalk to get married, accompanied by birdsong and church bell. I am charmed, have goosebumps, and am smiling for the growing, glowing love you share. 🙂
Thank you, Bruce!
Aww, Sandra, it was hard to leave NCBG to go start a new life. Part of my heart will always be there. Thanks for coming along with me! Love’s like that. ❤️
You’re welcome!
This is such a beautiful story 😍
Love wins❤️
Thank you so much, A.B. I agree with you, love wins. 🙂
Love is what matters.
Yea, and it took me so long to find. ♥️