True Love

Over the last year two couples in my extended family have had their marriages crumble. I have to say with brutal honesty, that in both cases I was not surprised. In both cases, I have thought that one of the partners was incapable of true love. In both cases, it seemed to me that one partner was selfish. And in both cases I've wished that I could somehow tell the hurt partner, 'you are so much more deserving that what you got.' But of course, in both cases, I am keeping my nose out of it.

But recently, I've been noticing some acts of true love all around me. And it always brightens my day. Even when they are bittersweet stories...

The other day Poppy told my dad that he missed Memaw. He said it had been so cold that he was sleeping in a sleeping bag on their bed. He said he used to leave one arm out of the covers and reach out to her and she would hold his hand as they fell asleep. And now when he reaches out, there is nothing but empty bed there. To me that is the most bittersweet thing I've ever heard. And a great example of true love. Someone to hold hands with while you fall asleep...until you're 90.

My best friend tells me that when she has a nightmare (and let's face it-do you know any moms out there who don't occasionally have a terrible nightmare about something happening to one of the kids?) she wakes her husband up so he can hold her hand while she goes back to sleep. I've been known to do the same thing myself.

My dad makes trips here from POC almost everyday to bring Poppy to the hospital not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's one less thing for my mom to worry about.

And I have lots of examples from my own true love.

This morning my husband took my mom to the hospital early and then went out to the land to put tar paper on the garage, and install a window in the kitchen. But sometime during that he went to Whataburger and got me a breakfast taco, put it in the fridge and taped the receipt to the island so I would see it when I woke up.

For the last several months D has been giving the kids a bath every night (when he's not on night shift) because my back hurts so much when I do it. And I know it's far from his favorite way to spend time with the girls, but he doesn't complain...much. {wink}

Before he leaves for work he empties the trash in the kitchen to help me out in the morning.

He brings me flowers when he knows I'm having a bad day.

He calls in the to go order from IHOP because he knows how much I hate to say 'rootie tootie fresh and fruity.'

He charges my cell phone without me even asking.

True love isn't about roses on Valentine's Day. {PS I have forbidden D to get me anything on Valentine's Day!} It's about everyday gestures that show you care...and that you are putting someone else's needs above your own. It's about me considering giving up my beloved name choice and compromising. (Um, no, not with any of those choices on his current list...he has to come up with some more...)

Would love to hear stories in y'alls life about true love if you want to share!