Treasures of the heart

     

     "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure we carry in our hearts."     

     When you enter into a romantic relationship, it's an experience like none other. 

     Strolling together under a beautiful harvest moon along Parlee Beach at Shediac Cape, New Brunswick, it was then, I'm convinced, that Nels — my first and forever love — actually stole my heart in that moment of tender, loving embrace. 

     It was probably the fifth consecutive date of a 10 day whirlwind romance. 

     Time was of the essence, as Nels' departure date for returning West, was looming large before us. Waiting for each day to end so that we could be together once more, seemed agonizing.

     We both were already realizing something special was taking place in our heart of hearts. The close of our romantic week came all too soon. A few days later, I received a bouquet of flowers with a note signed... "all my love." 

     
     
     Nels couldn't wait to confess what he was now feeling in his heart, so wired en route. The surety of my love became more certain during the next year as we exchanged correspondence. No direct emails, texting or reasonably priced phone calls.

     Our relationship and desire deepened during our two-year long distanced courtship. We repeated our marriage vows to each other with confidence and disbelief, that at last, we were finally husband and wife.

     

     Looking back on those early years as we began creating our world together — thousands of miles separating me from my family and friends — I still have a heart of gratitude for my gentle, sensitive and caring partner, who patiently dried those many tears of loneliness. 
      As time passes, romantic love takes on a different look. Wanting to be faithful to our solid, uncompromising commitment to each other, allowed us to be confident and comfortable in each other's love. We relied on each other, yet felt a freedom to be our independent selves, encouraging each other along our spiritual journey as well. 

     

       

     Nels' Valentine's gifts to me, besides a romantic card, were usually flowers or chocolates. He learned early on that I didn't crave expensive jewellery, but, like Emma Goldman says, "I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck."  
     However, during a vacation to Florence, Italy, in later years, Nels surprised me with the purchase of a beautiful leather coat from the Peruzzi Leather Shop, saying, "This will help make up for all those special occasions when I couldn't afford a worthy gift." Just another example of Nels' selfless love.   

     To love and be loved is a wonderful thing, but the greatest love there is, comes from our Heavenly Father. Recently, while attending a ladies' Valentine brunch, the soloist reminded us of the great Lover of our Soul. She sang the song entitled, Written in Red, composed by Gordon Jensen, 1984 Word Music. 

Here are a few of those words:  

In letters of crimson, God wrote His love, 
On the hillside so long, long ago; 
For you and for me Jesus died, 
And love's greatest story was told. 
I love you, I love you, 
That's what Calvary said; 
I love you, I love you, I love you, written in Red.      

Choosing to embrace that LOVE is our choice.

— beulah