"First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"...Marriage - My Knight in Rusted Armor

Linda Osborne Daniels
Knoxville, TN

My Knight in Rusted Armor

Who is this man sleeping beside me, snoring softly? As I gaze at his face, innocent in response, I think back to 20 years ago when we first met. Is this the man who made my pulse quicken with just a sideways glance? Whose touch caused an electrical charge that went from my fingers to my toes at warp speed, whose piercing blue eyes held me entranced? Many hours were spent dreaming about the future...our wedding...our children, the places we'd go, and the people we'd meet. 20 years ago, his hair was full, shiny, no receding hairline or gray hairs anywhere to be seen. His face was wrinkle free. He was quite, intriguing, intelligent...the perfect man. I freely gave him my heart and he took it, promising to guard it from pain and hurt. We were young and foolish, dreamers, full of love, hope and promise.

Fast-forward 16 years to present day....we've seen a lot since those first few days of wedded bliss. We've experienced "better," "worse,"  "richer," "poorer." Most recently, we've experienced "sickness" with my diagnosis of diabetes. Life has changed. We've changed with it. We've weathered storms that threatened the very foundation of our marriage. We've had passion so fierce it was almost all-consuming, counterbalanced by disappointment and heartbreak which to this day can still cause hurt if we allow it. But most importantly, we've experienced the awesome and humbling gift of unconditional love.  

For this reason, when I look at my husband, I still see the young man of 25, hands shaking as he put the ring on my finger. I see the man who ate second helpings of botched cooking attempts from his young bride with no complaint. I see the man who held my hand as I said goodbye to my mother on her deathbed. I see the man who held me eight months ago when I cried over my diagnosis of diabetes, the disease that killed my mother....the man who encourages me daily to do all that I can to ensure that we grow old together.

His eyes are still the piercing blue that made a young girl's heart go pitter-pat; his hands still offer both passion and gentleness. The gray in his hair only adds to his appeal. His ready smile still warms my heart. He is my husband, lover and friend. Despite the bad times, I'd choose him again in a heartbeat...and I know he'd choose me. 

Yes, time passes, youth fades, people and marriages change. Hearts break, hearts mend. Through all of this, love remains.