My sweet valentine

Barb, Happy Valentine's Day a few days early! What better time to write in words what I should be telling you each and every day? I was looking at valentine cards in Walmart a few days ago and some are very poignant and sweet and say exactly what I want to say. They're very pretty and heartfelt. But I thought, "Why rely on a card when I should tell you in my own words why you are so special to me?" No one else will say it in these exact words. During the past 5 years we've reminisced about what first attracted us to each other. It's been said often but still bears repeating. It started with your first visit to Montrose back in August 2006. The kids and I had just returned the day before from our rafting trip to Colorado. You and I had talked on the phone for about a month. But you drove up from Seward, NE all the way to Montrose -- a distance of 225 miles -- to meet me in person. You trusted me and made the commitment to come that far -- all alone. I was so impressed that such a pretty woman would go that distance just to meet me. I know your thoughtful response is that I had just got home from vacation with the kids and you didn't want me to have to travel again. Your thoughtfulness truly and deeply touched my heart. I remember your call when you got close to Montrose, and I stepped out on the front step to meet you. There was no GPS to follow then. And when you got out of the car, you took my breath away! You smiled and walked up to the house like we'd known each other for years. And remember that first meal? A well-done steak and a baked potato -- and no sour cream? You even remembered what I wore. Ugh! Cutoff shorts with white socks and sandals. How could I impress you with that? Did I REALLY wear that? You told me that you were impressed by my online picture holding my granddaughter Kyla in the kitchen. I doubt Kyla will ever know her role in my meeting my future wife. I was so impressed that you took a chance on me. I "winked" online at you from 225 miles away, not expecting such a pretty woman would give me the time of day or merit even a brief response. But you responded, and somehow we clicked. We talked on the phone. We had lots in common. And when you came up to Montrose that first time we watched "Legally Blonde." Oh yes, I'll always remember that movie. And then a week or two later you came back -- another 450 miles round trip -- to attend my Army Reserve unit's picnic with me. How could I not fall for a woman who so trusted me and enjoyed my company that she was willing to travel when I couldn't? And, of course, visiting you in Seward was great fun, even when you were working. I became familiar with Seward's bike trail, and brought some flowers from Walmart for your kitchen table. Your apartment was so "homey." It was so feminine, and smelled so good of candles and flowers... and you. They say that "The way to man's heart is through his stomach." Well, that was just "icing on the cake," so to speak,and to borrow an apt metaphor. I soon found out you were well known for your soups -- taco, potato and vegetable -- and beautifully decorated cakes, etc. And I've been known to like to eat. And we've had so much fun these past 5 years. We've been to Niagara Falls, El Paso, Branson, Memphis, and our next adventure will be Hawaii. I can't wait. We've laughed so much. I'm sure that's what keeps us young. And that's another trait that endeared you to my heart immediately. You laughed so easily. My favorite saying of yours is "You crack me up." I'm not normally a demonstrative person, but your gentleness, trust and humor helped put me at ease. My dry humor has found an outlet. You've seen a side of me not often or easily seen by others. And your smile is so sweet. Dimples form in your cheeks when your smile is so heartfelt. I look for that. And your green eyes are beautiful. I look into them and still wonder why or how I am so lucky as to be with this beautiful woman. I have loved having you as my best friend. You are passionate and compassionate. You are Christian and moral and have the same values I hold dear. We hold each other up when the other's down. I will always try to be your dragon-slayer -- your knight in shining armor. You took a chance 5 years ago and I want to ensure you never regret it. I love you, my sweetheart... always!