So there was a time, many years ago, when hubbs was not in my life.
We met just after I’d formally given up on love; at a time when I assumed that being alone and a single Mom was just the way life was meant to be for me. I’d even announced it to friends (like that made it official – ha!).
Yep, I thought I had it all figured out. I was a divorced mother of a 5-year-old and he was a well-traveled businessman from the Midwest. I had a child. I did not date. I worked and took care of my son. But a relentless girlfriend dragged me out one Friday night and that’s where we met. He chatted her up (I thought he had a thing for her) but, little did I know, he was making his way to me.
The evening was fun and the conversation was great. He was easy to talk to and even easier to look at. I recall settling back into my seat when he asked me if I had any kids. Shyly I told him a little bit about my little boy. I’ll never forget his face lighting up and him saying, “Really? I love kids.” But still, caution ensued and when he asked for my phone number I had to say, “I’m sorry I don’t give that out.” I’ll never forget his confident reply, “If you’d at least tell me your last name .. I’ll look it up.” And he did.
Before we even had our first date, my employer announced they were relocating us from Connecticut to Texas … 6 states away in 4 months. Still, summer arrived and, cautiously, we spent time together – the 3 of us – how’s that for romance? Seeing that big shouldered man play with a tow-haired boy softened my wounded heart.
But the movers came anyways, and we found ourselves having long talks about a future together. It was me who kept chiding, “You know we’re moving; I have to go with my job. I’m the only provider…” And his reply was always the same, “I know but I’m just not letting you go that easily.”
Letters were written, phone calls exchanged, and visits were often.
It was on one of those weekend visits that he asked me to marry him. Again. And again I shyly gave him my pat answer of “maybe.”
When we said our tortured good-byes at Houston’s Hobby airport, I could sense his frustration.
Driving home, my boy heard me cry out loud … “Oh no.”
“What’s wrong, Mom?” he chirped from the back seat.
“Tomorrow’s his birthday and how could I forget, oh my God we didn’t even get him a present to take home with him!”
I felt like a heel. A total idiot. A terribly thoughtless person caught up in a romance that my heart trusted but my head had said no to.
And then it came to me, a voice as clear as any I’ve ever heard. One that said, “You know what he wants.”
And I wanted it too.
I couldn’t wait to get home and get on the phone.
Calling information, I found a shop located near his New Rochelle office. Desperate and breathless, I tried to explain the situation to the gal on the other end of the line. Sympathetically she said,”No problem, sweetheart, we’ll take care of it for you. Good luck to you!”
And the next day, in front of his all female staff, that big shouldered Michigan man received a giant bouquet of yellow roses on his birthday. Why? Because we were in Texas and he wasn’t. And the card?
The card said Y-E-S.
Happy Anniversary, Hubbs.
“Choose the guy who ruins your lipstick, not the one who ruins your mascara.” An Emjayandthem (C) photo
21 years. 7,665 days. No regrets.
I still smile at yellow roses.
Related:
absolutely love this post!! As we sometimes, with luck, find that “the heart wants what the heart wants”. and finally both of yours were in sync!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I’m sure there will be many more!
Thank you, June. You’re right, sometimes we just have to get out of the way and let the heart rule! Cheers~ MJ
Beautiful story. There must be something to this idea of women sending men flowers – I did the same for my then future husband 23 and a half years ago. Women, take note!
Really? Good on you, Arlene 🙂 You’re right – women, take note!
The funny thing? He’s allergic but wouldn’t have told me that then … MJ
Timing….it was finally time. Such a happy ending and the gift couldn’t have been more perfect. Thank goodness you had forgotten.
Thank you and yes, I think it was a Godsend that I forgot — something or someone helped me remember – and know – just what to do. I recall that moment and a feeling of total clarity; was never so sure of anything in my life!
MJ
What a wonderful story MJ. Thank you for starting my day off right. There’s a saying that goes something like this: “if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.” You thought that you were destined to be alone buy He blessed you with a wonderful friend and mate.
Congratulations & God bless.
R
You are spot on, RR. Glad you enjoyed; I enjoyed sharing this story with you 🙂 MJ
You made me choke up. I love a good love story 🙂
Thank you; if it’s an consolation, I got choked up writing it! I love a good love story, too, and there’s no better love story than one that came true before your own eyes 🙂 MJ
Such a beautiful story – makes me start my day with a huge smile on my face. I’m an absolute romantic and I love these real (and true) love stories 🙂 Thanks for sharing this and happy anniversary to you both!! 🙂
I love them too, Dounia 🙂 Thank you for your sweet wishes .. MJ
What a wonderful, romantic story! I bet he didn’t get much work done that day!
you know what? Neither one of us did — he called me at my office and his first words were, “I got your flowers … does this mean what I think it means?” and when I said “Yes it does” he let out a whoop that I could hear clear to Houston 🙂 Such fun!
MJ
At work with tears of happiness! What a beautiful story, MJ 😀
I’ve just stepped back in the dating arena… it’s tough out there!
Aww, thank you Sandi. Dreams really do come true and who are we to ever declare that love is not for us? I have learned not to do that!!
MJ
Thank you! A perfect start to my day! I’m so glad you found the man of your dreams, that you took a risk. Congratulations on 7665 days of no regrets! ~ Sheila
Thank you, Sheila — I’m so glad, too. I was thinking about him while writing this — he has his faults and so do I – but we fit together and somehow, we make it all work just fine.
Life’s in the risking, isn’t it? 😉 MJ
Happy Anniversary. Many more years and many more yellow roses. This made my eyes water a bit.
Thank you, Michelle. I’m glad to have you visit and read my stories … this is one that is a treasured memory for obvious reasons! 🙂 Hugs to you! MJ
Oh MJ, what a beautiful story. Happy anniversary to you and your hubs. So glad the two of you found one another and ran with it – regardless of the differing states, zip, and area codes. Well done! (and wonderfully written)
Thank you, Lenore Diane. After we got engaged we had to finagle through 7 months apart — lots of phone calls (and he hates the phone) and letters .. but he left NY on a Friday, arrived TX on a Sunday … we married that Wednesday and flew to MI for a reception/party 2 days later. A Multi-state, multi-time zone romance and a wedding bash organized Via fax (all before email). Looking back, I just smile at the memory 🙂
MJ
Awww! What a fabulously sweet story, I love it! Happy Anniversary to you both!
Thank you, Stephanie. It is a sweet and true story — I think Meg Ryan could play me in the movie version, yes? 😉 MJ
These days I think it would be Rachel McAdams. 🙂
ha ha! I think you’re right. 🙂
oh my gosh, that made me cry. Lucky girl…
awww, sorry about that, Lissa. Yes, I am lucky in many ways — lucky that I met someone decent and kind and luckier that I was smart enough to not let him go, either 🙂 MJ
Wonderful story. Yellow roses are my favorites.
Me, too. MJ
Happy Anniversary to you both MJ.
My grandma always grew yellow roses and she said they were the color of golden truth. Here’s to many more golden years together for you both.
*anna
Thank you so much, Anna. I have never heard that saying before. Those Grandmas — they have so many “Pearls” of wisdom to share … love it!
Cheers! xo MJ
Aren’t you gorgeous in that happy shot! And what a lovely story proving that the heart can veto the brain. Happy Anniversary! I hope you have dozens more.
Thank you sweet friend. The heart can and should veto the brain! Best decision I ever made 🙂
MJ
Wonderful post!
Thank you so much, David! MJ
Brought tears to me eyes, thanks…
Aww, thank you John. Brought tears to mine, too. MJ
Happy anniversary! I love your story, thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you, Patti; I’m glad you enjoyed it! MJ
Well, I’m a day late reading this post – but I’m teary-eyed. This is such a sweet, sweet post. He must be one very special man to have won your heart. A belated Happy Anniversary to you both!
(Oh, and we flew into Houston Hobby several years ago to visit my niece, who lived in Texas City!)
Aww, thank you, Dianna. It is a sweet story and the best part is it’s all true! Cheers! MJ
PS Love your flow blue header!
thanx!
You just totally brought me to tears! More than beautiful.
Well, I cried writing it .. so I understand! MJ
That is the BEST love story! Happy anniversary to both of you!
Thank you, I think so as well. Sometimes it’s good to step back and look at where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. Trusting him with my heart was the hardest thing to do .. not because he gave me reasons not to, but because I did. MJ
What a wonderfully sweet and sentimental post! Thanks for sharing, and congratulations!
I shared it with him via email and his comment was “very well written and a great story – and it’s ours!” He’s sentimental like that, too. Cheers! MJ
All *I can say is what a sweet story.
Thanks Karyn, and it’s a true story at that! 😉 MJ
What a beautiful story! Congratulations!
Carine
(Texas’ human)
Thank you Texas and Carine 😉 It is a beautiful story; it was fun to re-tell it. MJ
OMG, I love it!!!!!! Thank you for sharing that with us!
Thank you – and – it’s absolutely true! MJ
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No matter how often I hear your love story, it’s still so touching. Gotta admit: tears in my eyes after reading this. Happy Anniversary, MJ. What a blessing that man has been in your life (and I’m sure that’s a two-way street….)
aww, thank you Dianna. I get teary telling it! MJ
Oh, and when I read this to Motor Man, he said: “And this is the same guy that, all these years later, was worried about us doing harm to her when she met us in Northern Virginia”!
Yes, my Hero was sure I’d end up in a trunk – funny!! MJ
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