Through the Years

by Angela A.
(Ky, US)

I remember when I met Steve. It was 1988 and I was about to turn 15. He was introduced to me as my best friends sisters boyfriend. (I know, I know, not a good way to start a crush; but it gets better, don't stop reading now).

He was 11 yrs older than me but I felt some sort of connection to him from day one. I didn't quite understand because, well, I was a mere child and figured I was just developing a school girl type of crush. He had long hair, kind like those hair band guys of the 80s and he was just an all around nice guy. He was funny, sweet and just plain dreamy.

He soon married my friends sister and they had two kids. I still was holding a candle for him (his 1st child was born when I was 16). I would help my friend babysit for them and I was watching him out of the corner of my eye (bad girl).

In 1993, he and his wife separated. That same year, he had a brain aneurysm rupture and went into a coma. My friend called me to tell me what happened and I felt like my world was ending (at this time I was 20 and STILL had the BIGGEST crush though I think at this point it was much stronger than that).

I went into my own little world, crying day in and day out. I felt like a part of me was dying. Well,he made it through with flying colors, back to his old self (with much shorter hair after he had brain surgery, but inside he was the same). I knew at that point life was too short to hide feelings, and waiting til it was too late wasn't an option anymore.

I called him while he was in a rehabilitation house. I told him all about my little crush, etc., and much to my surprise he informed me that he too had a crush on me. Fear set in for me though, considering that his divorce wasn't final and I was afraid of being hurt by the man I had put on a pedestal for so many years.

I decided not to pursue any further and to move on (his divorce was final in 1995). I got married that same year and Steve moved on also. I stayed in a HORRIBLE marriage for 13 yrs (MISTAKE). Steve had moved to Florida but ended up moving back here after he had gotten married and divorced to someone else there. We soon ended up talking in depth, and I felt that my life would never feel complete without him in it. I was in love with him and there just wasn't any other way to define it. Pure love. I felt we were soulmates, kindred spirits, and I could not live apart from him.

Well,that was two years ago and life now is GREAT. We are together, as happy as I have imagined it would be over the past 20 yrs. We have never had a fight or argument, we are truly in sync, he is my bright sun which shines deeply through my soul. He is truly my inspiration. On December 24th, 2008 he asked me to be his wife, and without hesitation I said YES!!!