In February
of 1971, Duane came home from Vietnam. He was different—of course he was. He
was older and quieter and cold all the time because he’d come from summer to
winter in the space of a long plane flight.
I was
different, too. I’d become a mom in the time he was gone, a story I’m not
telling because any wounds that came from it are long healed. Even though I
loved Duane, I was reluctant to complicate his life the way I’d complicated my
own. I had a child to raise—anything else was secondary.
But then my
baby was saying “Dada” (he never said “Mama”) and climbing all over Duane and starting
to walk. To Duane, not to me. So Duane asked me if, when I chose to marry, I’d
allow my husband to adopt my son. I said that would depend on who it was and he
said he’d certainly want to if it were him.
I said I didn’t
know who else it would be. Because, after all, the kid called him “Dada” and
walked right to him.
And we lived
happily ever after.
I don’t know
if 1971 was my best Valentine’s Day, because we’ve had a lot of good ones over
the past 44 years, but it was probably the most special. Happy Valentine’s Day
to the man who is still my hero after all these years.
what a wonderful story, Liz, thanks for sharing it with us! I'll share mine later this week. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait see it.
DeleteSuch a simply told story brought me to tears.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terry.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful story that's perfect for this time of the year! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chrys. It's such a happy thing to remember.
DeleteLiz, what a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. It's made us think about it today, which has been kind of nice. :-)
DeleteGoing to be hard to top that story! Love it and love that you have such a great guy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margie. I'm a lucky girl.
ReplyDeleteThat is a really sweet story, Liz. What a lovely Valentine's Day memory!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Reese. It is a good one.
DeleteBeautiful! And your smiles and ease with each other speaks volumes. Photos don't lie. ;) Happy Valentines day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roben! We were lucky to have found each other, I think.
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