Happy anniversary to us!
Richard has been sending me a letter each day for several weeks, 20 letters in all, to celebrate our anniversary. I don’t know what I will do when the mailbox returns to its usual graveyard of impersonal bills and ads. But I won’t dwell on it, and I have 20 letters to read when I need to see some human handwriting. This gift from Richard is significant because he types everything. If we need to make out a check or fill out a form, he often asks me to do it. He simply doesn’t write anything by hand because it’s uncomfortable and he’s been out of practice for decades.
I’m thankful for our life, busy, sometimes challenging, and as changing as the seasons.
Here is a little excerpt from the memoir I am writing:
(1994… the year we began dating)
I idealized Richard a bit, and wondered if I could ever be as good as he was. This wasn’t a bad thing. I wanted a young man who could inspire me to be better. I had learned to be aware of how a young man chose to spend his free time. Was he chasing entertainment and fun all of the time? Richard was a serious student and used his time wisely. This included time for fun, but it wasn’t the driving force in all he did. I had learned to watch for triggers to a young man’s temper, and to be cautious of a young man who always found ways to be offended. I felt safe and never worried that Richard would yell or get angry when something didn’t go his way. I had learned to appreciate a young man who planned dates carefully, but with whom I could also go on a walk and feel like it had been a nice evening. Richard was great at making our time together special. I had learned to look for someone who didn’t resent me for my abilities in school but supported me in my interests in school and the violin. Richard was there for every violin performance in the two years before we were married. He found ways to encourage me as I worked hard in school.
…We were busy with school and work, but he would leave things for me to find. One night as I studied on my couch, I heard a soft step moving up the stairs outside my door. Somehow I knew it was him. He didn’t knock, but left a box of fudge striped cookies in a bag on the door for me to discover with a note,
Angie,
Here’s a little something to help you on your physics test. Eat three of these before you take it and you’re guaranteed to do well. Actually, they’ll probably make you sick and then you won’t be able to take it at all (which could also be good).
Love,
Richard
One night I walked out to my car and found a bag of carrot sticks on the windshield with the label,
Angie,
All I’ve ever given you is junk food. How about something healthy for a change? Actually, I just want you to know that I am thinking of you, and I hope things are going alright. Hang in there!
Love,
Richard
With kindness such as this, is it any wonder that I wanted to marry him? I’m so glad that I did.