While I was running around from event to event in Kansas City, Gizmo Guy was left to fend for himself. Oh, he’d come with me to make sure I stayed sane–and properly fed. On Saturday when I rushed into the room to change outfits and lay down on the bed for a quick nap, he asked if I could read a Word document on my iPad. Once I assured him I could, he emailed a document entitled “Blog Fodder.” He is often in the habit of sending me dirty jokes or funny cat pictures to make me laugh, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I opened the document, I started to cry. Don’t let anyone ever tell you guys can’t write love letters. I may have added a few parentheses, but yes, these are all his own words…
For Leah:
The 35th wedding anniversary falls between the silver (25 years) and gold (50 years). Coral is the traditional anniversary gift (yeah right – try walking down to your local jewellers and ask to see the coral selection) although jade appears to have replaced it in the modern era (might be able to handle that.)
35 years have gone by in the blink of an eye. A baby boy, now in his late twenties, six foot tall and working as a certified electrician. A 2nd boy now towering over both mother and father still living at home but itching to get out there and find his life.
For me work devoured the years. Twenty years in the mainframe computing field at a large bank – followed by a 2nd career in the public sector. My life revolved around computer rooms and airports. It was a blur of projects and deadlines, technical diagrams and blueprints, industrial air conditioners and fast food. Thank God for Diet Coke (my caffeine of choice), Tums and Tylenol.
But there has been one constant through all those years, one thing that kept me sane and rooted and that was you Leah.
I’m sure there were years when you thought you were a single mom, raising two young boys and holding down a career of your own while I was off in (fill in the City here) doing God knows what. But I’d come home and find the boys healthy and happy, the house clean (ok – might be a bit of a stretch) and my bed warm and inviting (might be venturing into Leah’s written words here.)
How can you thank someone for giving you a life? For sharing theirs?
In good times and in bad. Sure there have been good times and bad, and a few down right awful times. But you pulled me through those and allowed me the luxury of time and patience. The time for my mind to come to grips with life, and your patience to put up with me while I did.
In Sickness and in Health. Those words spoken so fleetingly during our vows have taken on a much deeper meaning as we, dare I say it, approach middle age. In the words of the great philosopher Confucius ‘Getting old sucks’.
For Richer, for Poorer. Yeah well at least we have our health (see above.)
Until Death do us part. Let’s just hold off on that one for a while… Remember you promised that we both reach the age of ninety-two and just go to sleep after a night of amorous adventure….
As my career wanders off into its twilight years, Leah, you seem to have gotten your second wind.
I sit here tonight in a hotel room in Kansas City, not for one of my computer installs or work, but to be with you while you attend the Romantic Times Conference as a ‘Multi-Published Author.’ Let me say that again cause it sounds so nice, a ‘Multi-Published Author.’
As I write this you are up on the 40th floor of the hotel wining and dining with editors and publishers as well as other authors.
There are stacks of postcards and bookmarks all over the hotel room – every flat surface is piled high. All swag to be given out to fans. Yes, I said the word fans. Some love your work so much they want to be a part of it, to have some involvement in the process, and have created a fan club and street team.
God, what a ride.
But they don’t know what I do. They never met the shy little girl scribbling in pencil in tiny journals the stories that were intended for no one else’s eyes.
Or the young woman writing fan fiction weaving Tolkien tales, and gaining a large following on the web.
No one else understands the courage you mustered to take your own work and send it out into the world. Well maybe there are a few hundred others in this hotel that have like stories. But your story is unique and I, like your Street Team, am glad to be allowed to be a part of it. I thank you for that.
And I thank you for the last 35 years. Here’s looking forward to the next 35.
I am supposed to be the romance writer, but I think Gizmo Guy got me beat today.
Happy Anniversary, Gizmo Guy. I love you.
Belated Happy Anniversary to the two of you. Such a wonderful love letter. Thank you for sharing!
It’s not belated — our anniversary is actually today. And thank you!
Oh Leah he is so sweet. Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, Lori!
Absolutely beautiful and yes, I think Gizmo Guy might have a second career as a writer (you must have rubbed off on him Leah)! Happy Anniversary to the two of you and many more to come!
Thank you — and as I said to Mary G — Gizmo Guy has written a couple of books (thrillers) but refuses to do anything with them, despite my pleading to continue. He’s got a really good voice, and an easy-to-read style. I think he could do well. But he hates the thought of being edited. And yes, he started writing after I did, so I’ll take complete credit. 😉
I’m crying dammit! That’s so beautiful and better than any Hallmark card! Hey Gizmo Guy, now there’s an idea!
I know, right? And Gizmo Guy has written a couple books — but he refuses to show them to anyone else but me or do anything with them, damn it! Maybe one day.
Awww Gizmo dude! Great letter!
Happy belated anniversary to you two. Also, it sounds like you had a lot of fun at RT! 🙂
You’re not belated at all, Alexia. Today is our anniversary. GG just sent me the letter early.
Awwwww….. such a sweet letter to read first thing in the morning. Now I am tearyeyed. Happy Anniversary Leah 🙂
Thanks Kim. It made me all teary-eyed too, even re-reading it as I was posting it.
I remember well our early days as critique partners, meeting in Margie Lawson’s class, and watching you develop from newbie to pro. And through it all, that hubby/friend/lover never wavered. Steadfast, that’s our Gizmo Guy.
Happy Anniversary with love to you both,
L/M
Happy Anniversary Leah and Gizmo Guy! This is so beautiful, I cried right along with you. It’s a wonderful reaffirmation that there are thoughtful, caring and loving men out there in the real world (not just in Leah’s books). May the next 35 or more be as much of an amazing journey as the past 35 years have been for you both.
Thanks Kim. I think I can write the Happy-Ever-Afters of romances with such confidence, because I know there are guys out there like Gizmo Guy who want their HEAs too.
Happy Anniversary! Gizmo Guy is a keeper.
I cried like a baby, and made me smile. My hubs loves to tell everyone that he married his best friend. After almost 30yrs together it is still true.
GG is my best friend too — and I hope I’m his. Thanks!
Happy Anniversary! That was a beautiful letter. You are one lucky lady! 🙂
Thanks, Evelyn. He really does write a great love letter — and yes, I’m a lucky lady.
I wish you both a very Happy Anniversary! That letter was beyond sweet and you are very lucky… as is he. 🙂
Thanks Tabatha. We are both blessed — and it’s not the first love letter he’s written me. Hopefully I’ll have many many more to look forward to.
Aww, what a beautiful love letter. Happy Anniversary to you both!! =)
Thank you from us both.
It’s official, he’s a keeper! I guess you already knew that 🙂
What a beautiful letter. Kudos to Leah for being who she is and supporting hubby when he needed it. It looks like he’s doing the same now you need it 🙂
Wishing you another 35 yrs and that whole 92 thing after the amorous adventures. As my husband would say, “Why wouldn’t you?”
Thanks, Toni. And LOL about the 92 year thing. I wondered if anyone else would pick up on that bargain we made.
That was just so very beautiful! Happy Anniversary!
Leah, you have a one in a million fantastic husband… I always wished for this kind of man, but it was not to be.. Happy Anniversary to you both and I wish you another 35+ more years together..
Oh, Lord. You can let GG know he made me cry, too. Leah, you and he are SO blessed! Happy 35 years, and wishing you both at least 35 more of the love and support and passion and joy and life that bind you. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness what a sweet husband you have. I have a few tears too. that is most certainly an awwww moment 🙂
Congratulations to you both! You are one lucky lady!! I do agree that your husband also has some skills on the keyboard. Keep on him about his writing. He may have a second career himself! I hope you are enjoying a fantastic anniversary.
Bawling.
As a newbie writer…. coming up on just 10 years with her husband… I can only hope… that in 25… he feels this way about me.
Happy Anniversary. May you have many more. And then some.
April London