As I sit at my computer, my husband is out in our driveway removing nails from wood that used to form our garage patio. I was mowing the lawn, and then I sat in one of those plastic chairs just inside the garage to drink water, recover from the exertion of lawn maintenance and be with Daniel while he worked.
Being with Daniel makes me happy. More than I ever thought possible. I remember being alone. I remember seeing matches-made-in-heaven everywhere I went and longing for that for myself. I remember the emptiness of knowing I could love well and be loved back and not understanding why, oh why, it wouldn't just happen for me.
Those were lonely days. Even while I tried to make the best of life without my love, there was an emptiness I couldn't quite shake.
And then...he happened. When I least expected it. He appeared in my life, and I didn't even totally recognize him at first. I was tired, so tired, of all the hoping and wishing and wondering, could this be the one?
He was my friend, and that was almost enough because I hadn't had a really good male friend since high school. I could talk to him about anything and often did. I thought he would make some lucky woman very happy when he finally found her.
Talk about longing...
And then it was me that he found. I was that lucky woman he makes happy every single blessed day that we are together.
When I came in from outside on this timeless Autumn evening, I found a white envelope on my computer. He knew I'd find it there. I opened the envelope to find a lovely card inside, wishing me happy anniversary, along with a message he wrote to me about us. I'll keep that to myself, but it was the sweetest poetry. His love for me, the way he says it to me, always is.
I sometimes feel a touch astounded by the past seven years, falling in love with Daniel in the most deliriously sweet way, moving to be with him, getting married, and all the living we've done since that amazing day in October, six years ago, when we pledged forever.
Forever with him is all I need to be happy.
And I am. Oh...I truly am.
I love you, Daniel. Then, now, always. You are everything.
Copyright 2008 Melissa LaFavers