Laying Down Beside Love

They said it wouldn’t last six months. She was too young and naive. He was thirteen years older with a wandering eye. The passion would fade; the love would gradually wear down; or – the most frequent thought – he would move on to his fourth. The worst of it was that some said it with a certain kind of glee, like they believed that no one could be allowed to stay that happy. Like Eyeore, “it’s not raining now, but it will be soon”.


They were wrong. They were wrong by hundreds and hundreds of months. By decades.


Today, Jim and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. Six months at a time.


And, I am delighted to report to all those naysayers that we are as happy today as we were back in days of the shadow of their doubt. More than that, the years have brought a contentment that not even we forecasted. We stayed longtime lovers and we became fast friends.


I am reminded today of our wedding song.

I’ve spent my life looking for you
finding my way wasn’t easy to do
but I knew there was you all the while
and it's been worth every mile

So lay down beside me, love me and hide me
kiss all the hurtin’ of this world away
hold me so close, that I feel your heartbeat
and don’t ever wander away

Mornings and evenings all were the same
and there was no music till I heard your name
but I knew when I saw you smile
now I can rest for a while

So lay down beside me, love me and hide me
kiss all the hurtin’ of this world away
hold me so close, that I feel your heartbeat
and don’t ever wander away

Hold me so close, that I feel your heartbeat
And don’t ever wander away

My Jimmy. Thank you for every month and every mile in this journey of our love.