Talking Hearts

 

Our sweetheart month is ending but our love continues to grow. Many years ago my girlfriend messed around and became my best friend! When we hooked up in “75” Janet had a project on her hands. There was so much that I could share with her that would not go over well with my guy friends despite how close we were. As teenagers and young adults, we both appreciated that bond. But the world invaded our lives, and our hearts lost the ability to communicate with each other. The daily grind of trying to survive in this world took over. Our hearts and our relationship suffered from the silence. We needed to hear our hearts have a conversation. Without mentors or even plausible examples, our growth as a couple and parents was impeded by that silence. The covenant we made with God kept our hands on the proverbial broomstick we jumped when we said “I do.” Janet and I don’t take for granted that the world does not always recognize that we are intrinsically linked, two sides of the same coin. We learned to remove the obstacles and let our hearts talk to each other. That’s why we are best friends (and lovers.) I B loving U sweetheart! Glad the tomb is empty!

Sweetheart Month

March means more to me than the Hallmark month of February. March is our “sweetheart” month. Back in the day, March was the month I put on the “full-court press”. I was probably more intense than I needed to be. Like most teenagers I thought I had all the pieces I needed to get started, and I was anxious to start my life (at 16 right). I had a bag full of dreams or should I say pieces of dreams. Whenever I reached in and tried to share one, no girl would take me seriously. Maybe they thought I was too intense about my future. I knew I wanted more than my past or present was offering me. To be honest Janet held me off as well. After that first call, I knew she could help me develop these pieces into something special. Together we have molded “our” dreams and life into one long love letter. It’s a fantastic read. I love you sweetheart! Glad the tomb is empty

Love Letters

 

I was looking for something I really didn’t need in the closet and found these letters. In the fall of 1976, Janet left Chicago and returned to Dallas to attend Roosevelt High. In that age of no internet or cell phones, we began writing letters to each other. I was paranoid that her hometown and childhood friends would “woo” her away from me. To be honest, I was a nervous wreck my entire senior year of high school. I kept writing, she kept writing, and we tried to reassure each other that our day at the altar would happen. We briefly hooked up in the summer of 1977 which was the greatest summer any teenage couple could have. I left for SIU-C and Janet returned to Dallas. The letters intensified but not the uncertainty. I didn’t know God but I knew a piece was missing from our picture. I accepted Christ at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Carbondale Il. Then I packed up my worldly possessions and drove nonstop to Dallas Texas. I am still writing love letters. I love you, sweetheart! Glad the tomb is empty

Marriage Is Hard

I need to apologize. I have not been completely “honest.” Marriage is HARD! If you looked at the “x-ray” of our marriage you would see the bruises and brokenness that 6 years of courtship and 41 years of marriage can bring. You would see how broken we were. You would see the selfishness that caused the bumps. The sin that caused the bruises. You would see the individual egos that masterminded unnecessary conflict. I know this is not the popular story to tell but it is the real one. Looking at the totality of our life I can really say we appreciate the journey because it brought us to the “sweet spot” that we live in now. You looked at the x-ray. Check the results of the blood test. It will show the blood of Jesus injected into ours during times of trials and turmoil. You will see the holy spirit navigating our road trip through life. You will hear the word of God explaining the covenant we agreed to. You will see our love grow from “puppy love” to agape love. This transition could only happen when we both recognized His desire to move and transform our lives from two to one. We gave that one life to Him. Marriage ain’t for the weak and faint of heart, but if you give yourself and your marriage to God He will clear a path to a sweet spot that I can attest to is so so amazing! I love you sweetheart. Glad The Tomb Is Empty

The Truth

Fall of 1975 my brain took control of our relationship. It decided I did not need a girlfriend at 16 years old. Most folks said you good, it was only “puppy love”. Looking back, I can remember being heartbroken. However, I could not find a way to bring myself back to you. I stumbled miserably through our junior year because every time my heart reached for you or wanted to call out to you, my mind took those words and feelings and sent them into a loop of confusion. My mind was determined to “outsmart the truth”. The truth was that “me and my heart” were deeply and passionately in love with you. That was the truth then and it is the truth now. Subsequently I have learned to always think about you with my heart because that is where you reside. I love you sweetheart, then and now! Glad the tomb is empty!

41st Wedding Anniversary

This video was actually shot a few years ago during a photo session.

Of course Janet is a natural! Love you sweetheart!

This Thing We Have

 

You know I’m really loving this “thing” we have. Spent the weekend together... but apart. We both ran our errands apart from each other. Janet usually runs with the girls. I am usually a “lone wolf”. Whenever I am away from her, she drifts through my thoughts. It helps me concentrate on the task so I can get back. If you know me, you know I don’t do well by myself. The evil one tried something new on me. “What if she stops loving you?” My mind ran the numbers before my heart pulled the plug! Found myself driving and rejecting this notion. There is not a person that I am more comfortable with. Janet knows and loves the "me" that even I run from. She tamed him with her love of God and the answer to a prayer. Throughout our life together when the world was unkind she pulled “him” back. Okay then “What if you stop loving her?” For real… I laughed and heard myself say “Janet I will never not love you and never is a long time.” I love you sweetheart! Glad the tomb is empty.