Our Secret

    The other day at the gym, I saw this handsome guy. He caught my eye because he was so confident, yet not arrogant. Several people walked by him, recognized him and started talking to him. He seemed friendly and at ease, never putting them off, even though he had previously been focused on his workout. His intense eyes were blue… no green, and they were strong, yet kind.

     After he finished in the weight area of the gym, he came over and got on the elliptical machine next to me. He said with a smile, “Do you come here often?” We talked and I thought about what a good listener he was, and certainly understood why people liked to talk to him. After about 15 minutes we finished at the same time, and left together.

    The car ride was mostly quiet which gave me time to think. Here was this handsome, strong, confident, smart man and he was with me. He was all mine. Presumptuous you might say? I knew with certainty, because he has been mine for over 36 years.

     We’ve been through good times and bad, through poor and not so poor, through dark hair, silver hair, thin hair and no hair. We’ve lived in 14 different homes together; had 3 children together and we’ve watched them grow and helped them through their trials and struggles. They’ve given us 6 wonderful grandchildren (so far) and those grandchildren hold our hearts. We’ve had dreams. Some dreams have died and some have been realized.

    Some people may wonder if true love exists anymore. I’m here to testify that it can. It is a rare and sought-after encounter, and while many people can find it, very few can hold onto it. True and lasting love, is kind, unselfish, and both compassionate and passionate. Both parties are on the same page, have the same relationship goals and put each other first. It is the kind of love that keeps you going and pulls you up when you don’t feel that you can do it yourself. It makes you feel young, keeps you interested and feeling twitterpated after shiny exteriors have begun to tarnish. Others still have this love, but are separated temporarily by death.

       It’s like a secret that two people share and that no one can understand unless they also possess it. It is personal and precious. It keeps us from looking at others or from letting others in on the secret. We have friends and loved ones, but this is something exclusive. A simple look between us can speak volumes. In our younger days, occasionally people had tried to break us down. Women flirted with my husband and I was approached by men, but we would without question let them know they couldn’t even get to the front door of this fortress.

    Yes, his eyes are sometimes blue and sometimes green. They change. He does still make my heart flutter when I see him as if it’s the first time. We still flirt and say things to each other that used to make our kids roll their eyes, but they don’t anymore. They know that what we have is to be desired, cherished and kept alive and that we both want it with all of our hearts. That’s our secret.