A picnic on The Parkway the day after our wedding.

I wrote this a few years ago for Angie on our anniversary. I’ve updated it for this post – Happy Anniversary, my love – thanks for 36 amazing years!

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her. She sat on the front row in Spanish class; brown curls, green eyes, tan skin and a perfect smile. She took my breath away. There was something about her that drew me like a magnet. I’m not sure how many days it was until we actually met, but during those days she would often turn around in her seat to talk to a friend in class and any time she turned around I was watching. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I took an incomplete in Spanish.

I’ll never forget the first time we met. The teacher asked another guy and me to do a dialogue in Spanish, in front of the class. The dialogue was about the new girl and the teacher chose her as the subject. I hammed it up about the “muy bonita” new girl. Afterwards I walked over, shook her hand and told her my name. “I’d like to talk to you after class.” I said. I can still see the surprised look in her eyes and feel her warm, soft hand. I could have stood there the rest of the day holding that hand. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She didn’t wait for me after class.

I’ll never forget the first time she came by the bandstand at our High School football game. I was sitting on the back row in the Saxophone section. I had noticed her walking towards the stands like a princess; poised and lovely. I couldn’t believe my luck when it turned out she knew the guy beside me and stopped to talk to us. I remember feeling a bit silly in my band uniform – white shoes, white belt and blue plastic helmet. We laughed at just about everything and her smile was breathtaking. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I went home that night in a daze.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her walk out to my car for a date. We went to a concert in town. We talked quietly before the music began and during the concert I held that hand again. I couldn’t believe that a girl like this would even look at me twice and there we were holding hands in the dark. She was everything I wanted in a girl and I felt so undeserving. We laughed together and sang the songs and our hearts were joined that night. It was just right. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I took her home very late.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her on her father’s arm standing at the back of the chapel. Like a vision she stood there wearing that flowing gown – flowers, lace and silk highlighting her radiant smile. As she came down the aisle I couldn’t believe she was choosing me – this lovely and perfect girl had said “yes”! The only thing I would change, if we had it to do over again? I’d want her to run down the aisle. Our hearts were united that day. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I took her home to stay.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her hold our baby. Lying there in a different sort of gown, her face glowing with love and joy, as she whispered words of comfort to this tiny treasure entrusted to our care. Many others followed and she held them all in joy and sometimes sorrow. If you can actually see love, I saw it then. We were so thankful for each tiny hand – each carefully made child that would fill our house with laughter and our hearts with pride. Each time she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. We took them home to build a family.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her hold our grandchild. Leaning over and talking quietly, in the early morning hours, welcoming this precious one to the world and our family. And what a family it has been. Three fine sons, one beautiful daughter, two wonderful daughter-in-laws and two precious granddaughters. So much to be thankful for. So many wonderful years together. So many wonderful years to come. Her beauty remains. Those green eyes have seen more things; learned more about life; taught more lessons. She is still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen and I’m thankful – so thankful, she chose me.