Tuesday, February 13, 2007

My Valentine

It still hangs in my closet. I saw it again today as I was going through things to place into the box for Goodwill. I contemplated giving it away~ even took the hanger down to view it closer and then replaced it. I'm just not ready yet. I don't know that I will ever be. It's not that I think I will ever wear it again. I know that I probably won't. I really don't even like it anymore to tell you the truth. But I will keep it. It's what I had on the first night we met. The first night we saw each other in the parking lot of that restaurant. The night that you thought I wouldn't show up.

I chose it carefully. Black is always a safe choice for a first date. I added tall boots, sparkly earrings to go with the top and my signature lipstick color. I was so nervous. I almost broke off one of my well-manicured nails on the steering wheel ...tapping it on the way to see you.

The shirt you wore was the same blue as your eyes. I can't get rid of it, either. It still smells like you. I can see you in it, standing there with the biggest smile in the world on your face. I remember what the sleeve felt like against my face sitting on that park bench after dinner. I remember feeling so small next to you.

I remember driving home that night knowing that you were the one that I would marry. I didn't want to take that outfit off because I could still smell a trace of your cologne on the sleeve. I kept it on for a long time that night. I sat in the windowseat looking at the stars and thinking~ about you, us, our future.

I put it on again one year to the day later. We went out to the same restaurant that night to celebrate the anniversary of our first date. We were now Mr. and Mrs. What a difference a year had made. We became engaged 2 months after that first date, had a fairytale wedding and were starry - eyed and in love. We sat at the same table and laughed about things had changed in those 12 little months. What a beautiful change it was.

Here we are. 5 years, 2 kids, and 2 houses later. That same outfit still hangs in our closet. I can't give it away. Not now, not ever. It was what I wore when you walked into my life. There is no advice I would give the girl that wore it. No tips, no suggestions. Maybe I'd just like to tell her to savor every moment, for it only gets better from here. Maybe I'd tell her that she was in for the best days of her life. Maybe I'd tell her to slow down and enjoy it more. Maybe I'd tell her nothing. For there is nothing I would change about our life together. Not one thing. You are my perfect valentine, the final name in my appointment book, my future tense.

Happy Valentine's Day and
Much Love,

36 comments:

Karen said...

Beautiful love story, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing this. I'm going to find the tissues, now. :-)

Kim said...

This is so sweet! What a wonderful beginning to your togetherness!

Kim

Laura said...

That was just beautiful!

Laura

Tammy said...

Jennifer, my mouth hung open when I started to read this post because it was almost as if it could have been something I wrote! I met my husband on a blind date, too....and I STILL have the little outfit I wore that night hanging in my closet!
I'd like to say it still fit, but I was a petite little thing and that was 14 years and two children ago. But I can't get rid of mine, either! :)
Happy Valentine's Day. Jennifer!

Anonymous said...

That was so beautiful and heartfelt! Happy Valentine's Day Jennifer and I think of you and your family always! God Bless You and Your Family- Hugs!

Kelly said...

That is so sweet!
I'm sorry you have to spend valentines away from your husband - but I hope it makes all the valentines of your future that much sweeter when he is finally home!

Anonymous said...

I just posted a comment but for some reason it did not go through~
Thanks for sharing with all of us ~ it was one of the sweetest things I have read!
~hugs~ Michelle
raisinglittlewomen

Susan P. said...

Seriously Jennifer, you have GOT to stop! I have tears rolling down my face because that was such a beautiful story of you and your beloved. It really touched my heart. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and special post with us.

Andy said...

Hey Baby! That was like a walk down memory lane for me, I can still recall seeing you for the first time and thinking...Wow! And afterward, just knowing that you were the one for me, I will treasure that special night forever. You are the best! I love you now and I'll love you forever!
Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart,
Your DH,
Andy

PandaMom said...

First, I have to say that the "flat daddy" make me choke up...so sweet. Second, I have been married over 14 years and I STILL keep that pants that I wore on our first date. Too funny!--I thought I was the only one like that! HA!

TheNormalMiddle said...

please tell me he is reading this today from overseas??? :) Oh how sweet!

Dawn said...

beautiful post!
Happy Hearts Day...
xox

Paula said...

Beautiful, Jennifer. Just beautiful.

Cherish the Home said...

Oh my! That was beautiful....and the way you told it. Wow! Jennifer, you should write a book. (o:

Blessings,
~Mrs.B

Jennifer in MS said...

By the way Jen....I'm a MS girl too! :0)

Paula said...

That sounds like the beginning of a really good book.

I am in tears already.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Love story! I too still have the shirt I wore the night I met my husband and I don't think I will ever get rid of it.

Zach Green said...

Thanks. I've been able to drive 2 times and I'm happy I have it because now while I'm down there if Papa or Mimi ever get tired while driving I'm there to help and with anybody else.

Happy Valentines Day back.

I liked the story.
=]

Brittney said...

Oh my, that is just way too sweet ;). That was a fun story to read... so perfect ;).

Sister said...

I enjoyed reading this...just beautiful!

Leigh said...

Okay, crying over here! How beautiful! I pray that some day I am as blessed as you are!

I am always praying for Andy's safe return :)

Leigh

Anonymous said...

Jennifer you have such a lovely heart, what a beautiful story. Hugs to you.

Alicia said...

You're making me cry. So sweet.

Renee said...

Sweet story!

Erin said...

My future tense. How precious. I loved this. . .

Unknown said...

So cool!

My husband and I got married six months after we met! Engaged two months afetr we met!

Deidre said...

How beautiful! Oh, tell me you have printed this off for your children to read one day. Such a treasure.

Gena said...

That was so lovely. I, too, was married to my husband within 2 months of our first date. Fifteen years and 4 children later, we are still in love. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Valentine story.

Anonymous said...

My dear husband is also deployed right now... it's funny all of the details you can remember about the person you love and memories you've made with them.

I enjoyed your story, thanks for sharing.

Monica Wilkinson said...

What a touching post - and so well written! Beautiful!

HsKubes said...

Oh, what a sweet post.
I am missing my beloved, too.
Thank you for sharing that.

~ Christina
HsKubes' Haven at Home

theups said...

Jennifer, this is so beatiful and so well written!! I am sitting here crying as I type this.

Thank you for sharing your blessing.

His,
Mrs. U

Lori said...

This was sweet. And very special. I too still have a dress hanging up in my closet that has dear memories also.

Danielle Jones Mntanga said...

*sigh* loved this and can't wait to have my own story!

Anonymous said...

This was beautiful! (I must add I thought the "flat daddy" post was sweet too.)

Anonymous said...

It still hangs in my closet.

___________________
Julie
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