While winnowing our books we came across an old, forgotten Life magazine book compilation ("LIFE and Love: A Book of Embraces") with an inscription that captures so much:
October 15th 1998
Rockport, Massachusetts
Dear Sweetheart-
All on your own—a life, a person, a child of God—you are a thing of beauty, a life full of love, all by yourself. You would be a treasure, standing alone before God, a beloved creature—even if you had no husband, no brothers, no sister, no children to remind you of this fact.
I feel so privileged to have your beauty, your joy, and your love in my life. To wake to your pretty face, to your sweet smile, to your dear voice—this is the best life a person could ever want.
Sometimes life has seemed so overwhelming to us of late. I know this is part and parcel of our days! But I would love nothing more than to rid that from you—to provide the refreshment that our Lord intends a husband to lavish on his wife.
Thank God for the unique treasure He has graced my days with—you, my delight, my Allison.
Happy Birthday! From your hubby,
John
