Ø Girls hear, from the time they are young, “It’s as easy to love a rich man as it is to love a poor one” and “it’s better to marry a rich man".….. Well, ladies, I did something different, I married a poor man and made him feel rich!
Ø We married on Valentine’s Day after knowing one another for 17 days. Following the wedding and dinner celebration, we returned to our apartment. Jim said, “wait here“, (in the entrance hall). He turned on the stereo, and we danced to five songs he had carefully and secretly chosen and stacked in order on the stereo. Each song was about marriage and loving a woman. Now, I grew up a fat child, and watched many romantic movies. I fantasized about
dancing with a man while he sang to me…. I fantasized about being picked up and kissed like they did in those movies. I knew I’d never be lovingly carried into a bedroom….. However, on that night, in that moment, all those dreams came true.
Ø I never told my husband how I loved to be called “Babe” (I never told anyone my favorite uncle and favorite boss had called me that), but for some reason, during the first week of our marriage, and for the duration, he called me Babe.
Ø For the entire time we were married, I lived with a wonderful man who told me he loved me every single day. “So?” you might ask. Gentlemen, and Ladies, pay attention: My beloved Jim not only constantly told me he loved me, he gave me a different reason every single day! Do you have any idea what that did to enhance my self esteem? Not to mention how much more I loved and appreciated him!!
Ø One day I took a cab home. When we pulled up to my building, the cabbie asked, “Do you know the man who lives in the first floor on the left? “Quite well,” I responded, “Why?” He smiled a great big smile and said, “I carry him quite often, and he talks about his wife all the time. She must be a wonderful person!” Guess who was grinning now? I met many people throughout our marriage who, when they learned my name, asked if I was married to Jim. When I confirmed, they would invariably say, “I feel like I already know you, your husband talks about you all the time!” Wow! What a fantastic way to meet people, no awkward handshakes if someone knew my Jim! Before we married, my husband learned that my favorite flower was the white rose. I explained that to me it symbolized the purest love of all. On our first month anniversary, he sent me a dozen white roses ~ and to work, so every one could share them and know how much I was loved! He continued to do that every single month until I finally said, “Honey, we can’t afford for you to love me this much.” He was sad, but understanding. Guess what?! On our next monthly anniversary, I received a beautiful plant! And I continued to receive something special from the florist every month as long as he lived.