I love you (Lessons in Love)

I don’t remember the first time I told someone that I loved them.  If I was a gambling man, I would bet that the object of my affection was my mom.  My love for her was a true never ending love.  It’s deep inside of my being and it is still with me to this very day.  I was certain that I could never love anyone more than I loved her.

Then there were the string of girls that I fell in love with on an almost daily basis.  My love for each of them felt so very strong at the moment, and it was anything except true.  It faded with the memories of the broken promises, broken hearts and the aches of the breakups.  I remember proposing marriage to one of the young ladies that I dated for a while.  She accepted, we bought the ring, we planned the future.  I was certain that I could never love anyone more than I loved her. We drifted apart.  I guess the relationship, like those before it, just wasn’t meant to be.

Finally, I met the future Plaintiff.  We were both young.  We were both in the military and the military was going to take her away from me if I didn’t marry her.  After only three short months, we were married.  My love for her is different than the love I have had for any other woman.  I will most likely love her until the day I die.  After all these years, I still look forward to seeing her each day.  Her smile warms my heart.  Her laughter makes my day.  I was certain that I could never love anyone more I love her.

A short year after we first met, we were blessed with the arrival of our first daughter.  I can’t remember ever loving anything or anyone as much as I love each of my daughters.  I’d gladly give anything to protect them from harm.  I worry about their future.  Their emotional pain causes me pain.  Their problems are my problems.  Although they have each grown up and turned into such strong and independent ladies, to me they will always be the little baby girl that the nurse first handed to me in the little pink blanket.  Yes, I remember the different phases of their lives.  I realize that they are not the little princesses that they once were – but to me they always will be my Cinderella.  I am certain that I could never love anyone more than I love each of them.

As I await the birth of my first granddaughter, I know that I am about to learn another lesson in love.