Bonne Anniversaire.. A Love Like Ours…
He was tall, dark, and handsome.
His thick, dark, straight hair was slicked back in the Rudolph Valentino style, which framed a white and near perfect shape of face, marked by high cheekbones, full mouth, with a manly, strong, jutting chin and jawline.
He was often compared to Gregory Peck, or William Holden.
I had just returned from a month’s trip to Europe, feeling giddy with all the sights we had seen, and the dashing European men we had met, while travelling abroad.
Feeling bored and restless, I phoned my friend, who was with me on that trip, asking her to come over.
She said she had a guest – could she bring him along…?
After assuring her that I’d be delighted to welcome them both, I rushed to put on a lovely one-shoulder electric blue dress, which showed off my Roman tan and enhanced my big greenish-blue eyes and long blonde hair to perfection.
That night was the first time I came face to face with the man who was to become the most important and pivotal person in my life…
The moment our eyes met, our hearts were thundering with unexplained emotions.
At that moment in time, we knew we were meant to be together…
For ever…
A highly intelligent man, he was just finalising his Masters degree thesis in Economics.
I had finished my studies in Literature and Psychology. We were more than compatible, since we both came from similar, University educated backgrounds.
He adored my eclectic, seductive, and cultured personality – while I admired his brainy and logical attitude – still do.
He described me as magical.
He declared me irresistible.
We were both young, beautiful, and in love.
Years rolled by… we went through ups and downs…
The good and the bad…
The beautiful and the ugly.
We had our disagreements… our disillusionments… our fights… our separations.
He fell for others…
I fell too.
But, through anguish and joy, thick and thin, we remained – bonded to each other.
He’s the man who cares for me – no matter what.
He’s the man who makes me feel safe.
He’s the man whom I trust – “malgré tout“. Yes… in spite of all.
He’s the one who never fails me.
He is larger than life…
He’s the man who’s responsibility towards me and others – is legendary.
Even when sick, his first concern is my welfare.
Whatever is happening in my life, I always ask for his opinion and advice.
For I know, he will put me first – always.
There is that feeling of belonging…
That indescribable trust.
Even when we’re apart, we’re still so very close.
In the words of Kahlil Gibran in The Prophet:
“…let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.”
I know…
He will pluck the moon and the stars for me… from the sky.
He’s the one who gives me courage.
He’s the man who envelopes me with his arms, and gives me love.
He’s the man who tells me I’m his – dream woman.
He’s the one who makes me feel fabulous, charming, and brilliant…
That all will be alright.
He makes me feel loved.
He makes me feel cherished.
I feel enriched by his love…
I am blessed.
a.