Amor animi arbitrio sumitur, non ponitur

With so many dates to commemorate and remember it comes as a huge surprise to me that I remember that it was on this very day 14 years ago that a certain handsome gentleman boarded on a plane destined for Asia. That handsome gentleman held my face in his hands before he left and told me that he was going to come back, and make me his, for always.

I drove away finally able to wipe the tears that I allowed myself to shed. We wrote letters that included little notes and promises. We shared our hopes and dreams with pen to paper that crossed oceans to one another. We confessed, professed and allowed our weaknesses to be laid bare in our correspondence. We had to fight battles during our separation. While some were physical, others were emotional. But we held tight to what we mutually knew to be, he was going to keep his promise.

While there will be plenty of time to share other chapters of the story, I had to tell that handsome man that this little lady has no regrets sending her heart with him as he left that Marine Corps base 14 years ago. He has been my ever competent baggage handler, guardian of my heart and confidant. Despite all the odds against us that day, you held true to your word. My gratitude is endless.