A Love Letter To Geri

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we asked Patch readers to write a love letter to that special someone and let us deliver it. This is Richard Bray’s love letter to his wife, Geri:

Dear Geri,

I want to thank you for being my Valentine now for 33 years of marriage.

Who knew during our first date -- a movie and ice cream afterwards -- that we were beginning an incredible love story? You gave a stumbling, unsure young man a chance to grow on you. I still recall the first time you hugged me -- it felt so wonderful! I definitely wanted to experience this more. Patiently you waited until the day I could finally say the words, "I love you." Then later you said "yes" to being my wife -- one of happiest days of my life.

When you walked down the aisle at our church you were so beautiful. Why was I the one you gave your heart to? I remember the words of Fr. Robert Bishop who married us: "Marriage isn't 50/50 it's 75/75" -- meaning giving yourself even more for the good of the other. I think you've done better in the giving part.

You blessed our lives with five children, showing me that love expands. One will soon become a priest and will be marrying and fostering love and commitment in other couples, just like St. Valentine did. Our other kids are contributing in their own special ways to foster goodness. They all have their mom's heart.

You gave me the joy of experiencing their births. Wow! The awesome miracle of life, and watching them grow up. You've also shown me about grieving and how to have the courage to go on despite the sorrow of seeing loved ones leave this world too soon -- some tragically -- and faith for an everlasting life where all will be made right.

You taught me to love going to the ocean, the place where you are most at peace. The wind. The waves. The salty air. Walks along the beach hand-in-hand.

You've shown me what kindness looks like. Someone meeting you for the first time will often pour their heart out to you. Children will run up to you for a hug -- your special hug! And you're still with me after all these years. Thanks for blessing my life and the world around you. Happy St. Valentine's Day my darling.

I love you!

Richard

See all Patch love letters here.

For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to know: What place in town will always be a reminder of love for you? Whether it's the park where you had your first kiss or the restaurant where he proposed, email your story to locallove@patch.com for the chance to be featured. Get more details here.