“Through The Coldest Winter In Almost 14 Years,
I Couldn’t Believe You Kept Your Smile.”
By Paul Wein
I have lived through some horrible winters. I remember times when the snow was so high you could not differentiate one car from another. I recall taking the train to work and the actual temperature was –2 degrees. I will never forget walking home from elementary school when the snow was as tall as me – but this year was probably the coldest I have ever experienced – and one I will never forget. But for the first time, I have a blanket that kept me warmer than I have ever felt during this season. A fireplace that was always full of burning logs that bathed me in warmth. The perfect cup of hot tea that warmed me from the inside…
…my Julie.
Today is Valentine’s Day. For many years in the past, I looked at this day like most people view April 15th – with annoyance, despair and anger. But today, I see happiness, hope – and, of course – true love. In December of 2007, for the first time in nearly two years – my life was restored to normalcy. I got my stuff back, Beavis back – and once again – a home of my own. While all of that is great, what made it even better was that the first night I fell asleep in my new home – Julie slept right next to me.
This year, we are getting married. We have already picked our bridal party as well as the location. We have also chosen the person who will marry us – none other than Archbishop David I. Hartman – who, to me, is the closest man to God Himself. I have been married before – and engaged many times – but I have never gone through with it a second time. For one reason or another, I backed out because I thought my fiancée at the time was not my future wife…
…not this time.
This time I am as sure as I have ever been in my life – even more sure then when I married Lis in 1995. I have no “cold feet” no “second thoughts” – and no concerns or regrets. Julie is a woman’s woman – and one I will be proud to give my last name to.
Even though our wedding is months away – we have already chosen our wedding song, which is the perfect ending to this column. It perfectly describes how I feel about this amazing woman. I have searched for the perfect person for so long and never found her…
…until I realized that she was in front of me the entire time.
As you celebrate this Valentine’s Day, I hope you are as happy, sure and positive as I am. I hope that you can look at your partner and see the same future that I do – one of promise, prosperity – and partnership. I hope that you make your partner laugh as much as I do – and I hope you are as anxious to marry your partner as I am to marry mine.
Happy Valentine’s Day Julie – I love you!