War Bride

She is over 90 now, petite and quiet. A sure way to make her smile is to take her hands and dance with her. The love of her life still comes to see her everyday. She has a drawing on her wall that always intrigued me; it was of a sailor holding a blond girl in his arms running away smiling broadly. I stared at this picture so many times that I have it memorized.

When her husband came in one day with an armload of goodies for the staff, I asked him about the picture. He smiled sweetly and looked at his woman standing next to him holding his hand. He said "I drew that while on the ship and sent it to her. It was one of probably 50 drawings I did for her and the only one left in existence." He motioned to the couch and for me to sit with him. I did and he told me the story of his "war bride".

He looked lovingly at her, placed his hand on top of hers and began with tears welling in his eyes. "I had been at sea for six months when we were given shore leave in Ireland. A group of fellas and myself went to the local dance hall for drinks and to dance with the girls. A deep sigh. I walked in the door and saw this angel across the room. She took my breath away. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe, all I could do was stare at her." He paused a long time here just looking at his wife who had become oblivious to us talking and was fussing with some invisible lint on her pants. He wiped a tear from his cheek and continued "After I stood there for seemingly an eternity, I walked right up to her and asked her to dance." He laughs and said "You know the next words out of my mouth to her were "Will you marry me?". I laughed heartily, knowing this man and seeing the love in his eyes for her, I did not doubt it. I asked "She said yes?" He laughed even harder and said "No." chuckling now "She looked me straight in the eye and said "sailor, did you bump your head on something?" What could I say to that? I knew right then and there I must marry this woman!" He watched as she stood up and walked away from us, unaware of the conversation. He looked after her for a long moment and sighed.

Words breaking "We have had a good life. She is the most perfect woman I have ever known, I miss her so much. I hate that she has to be here." Tears flowing freely, he continued "We did marry during my shore leave. We wrote as much as possible and as soon as my tour was done I collected my bride and brought her home." I sat in amazement staring at the love in his open and bleeding heart.

The point of this story? When you feel it, follow through, show it, express it, embrace it. I have heard this story from many veterans concerning the wives they met and fell in love with forever on leave. Ok, so I am a hopeless romantic, but something about a love like that….wow.