The Wonder of Her

I will never forget the first time I saw her.  She was in town for a business trip and walked into my office, looked me in the eye and shook my hand.  The depth of her blue eyes and the feel of her hand in mine, was surprisingly stirring.

Prior to this meeting we had spoken often on the phone discussing mutual clients.  During those conversations I was intrigued by her insight, her compassion and her no-nonsense authentic approach to life.  But to put such a lovely face to the voice was marvelous.  During our first face to face meeting, we discussed business, brainstormed ideas and creatively problem solved.  She left the office and the next day was on her way back home. She went back to her life and I tried to go back to mine.

After that brief meeting she repeatedly found her way into my thoughts.  I had never met anyone like her.  It was as if I was introduced to the person I always wanted to be, but a newer and much more improved version than I ever dreamed.  Intelligence, wit, beauty, compassion, grace … she had it all.

We continued to speak frequently by telephone with our conversations turning into light-hearted banter at times.  But most conversations were work related and during work hours.  It was not until months later, when she was out of work recovering from surgery and called me, that I had an inkling she might like me.  I tried to keep my cool during the telephone conversation, but I confess I did the happy dance, jazz hands and all, when the conversation was over.  For the first time I realized I was becoming deeply, emotionally attached to this wonderful human.

It would be several more months before we would see each other again. With each passing day I became more intrigued, more attached, more enamored. Six months later we had our first date, and wound up spending the entire day together.  I remember feeling like I was in a dream.  At times she would be speaking and I could not concentrate as I was lost looking into her eyes.  The sound of her voice and the rhythm of her speech was intoxicating.

During the next year, we dated and began to know each other on a deeper level.  During that time, remarkably I found that what I knew of her was true, what I suspected of her was true and what I hoped of her was truer still.  On a daily basis, she was kind, intelligent, witty, charming, sincere, loyal, generous, authentic and compassionate.  She is the kind of human, that simply by the way she lives, urges others to be better and work toward the greater good.

At the end of that year, we both agreed we wanted to be with each other forever.  At that time, we were not legally allowed to marry, but I wanted to buy her a ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to her.  I remember walking into the jewelry store with her for her to pick out her ring.  There was not a single ring in that store worthy of her or magnificent enough to adequately show the depth of my love for her.  Nevertheless, she picked out a beautiful ring that was perfectly her.  Truly I had never been happier than the day she accept that ring and I put it on her finger.

That day remained the happiest day of my life until our wedding day.  The day we thought would never happen.  When it became reality, it was miraculous.  Exchanging vows in front of some of our dearest friends was monumental.  Being able to commit on that level and vowing to be her chosen family was one of the most sacred things I have experienced in my life.  She was a breath-taking bride.

Now I had a new happiest day of my life.  Until … June 26, 2015 … when our marriage became legal in our home state of Louisiana.

After a decade together, I can honestly say each day I wake up, see her face and hear her voice is a good and happy day.  She is a wonder to me.