Love

It’s Thursday, the day my husband and I write each other a letter. Today, my letter is about love. I can’t help but think about the love between two people named Christine and Dominick. I’ve known them for many years through Team In Training.

Christine fought three courageous battles against lymphoma and won. Her strength and bravery were evident. Her kindness and compassion drew many to her. Dominick was an amazing caregiver who toughed out all the treatments and stem cell transplant right alongside her, loving her through it all.

Christine died last night suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 45. Today I’ve been in shock. I ran the Houston Marathon with her name on my arm just two weeks ago, inspired by her bravery. Today I’ve mourned her loss. But I’ve also thought a lot about what it takes for a young couple to make their marriage work even in the midst of adversity like Dominick and Christine did.

I think the important word in that sentence is “make”. You have to “make” it work. That’s an action word. That means you and your spouse both DO for each other. Love is a verb after all. It’s what we do for each other that makes the marriage work even in the bad times and sick times and poor times.

Two weeks ago, my husband loved me in deed above word. He had trained hard and raised lots of money for TNT and desperately wanted to get back out there and run a marathon, but was struck with excruciating pain caused by a tear in his abdominal wall. So, he couldn’t run. But instead of sulking and feeling sorry for himself, he loved me. He put me first.

Before we headed down for the weekend, he gave me a beautiful running necklace which I adore. Then he smiled and hugged me and walked to the expo with me. We ate at the inspiration dinner and his attitude was positive. He put the other participants above his own disappointment and listened as they talked non stop about their excitement about the race.

He set his alarm early for race morning and went to the lobby with me to wish everyone luck. He kissed me and then, instead of getting to head to the start line with me, he walked away down the street to his office where he spent the next few hours working. Working and in physical pain instead of running with the other 30,000 runners happy.

He tracked me on the race app and made his way back to the finish line to see me finish, cheering loudly with a smile as I crossed the line. He took care of me after I finished, bought me a latte, drove me home, let me chat about my race while he listened happily, never once mentioning his disappointment and pain.

Bill made it all about me. He LOVED me with his actions. That is how me makes our marriage work. He makes it happen. Doesn’t wish for it to happen. Makes it happen.

He’s my hero. My best friend. The most important man in my world. How I love my Bill.