Opinion: Probably still have a little left to learn in role as husband

After 38 years in the role of a husband, you would think I should be getting better at it. I think I’ve probably got a little more to learn.

If I don’t write about her in my column around our anniversary I often write her a letter or at least a good mushy card. Some of those letters were pretty darn good but I don’t know how many extra points you get for creative writing when you’re just trying to get through life.

Here’s an example from one of those personal letters:

“I was thinking the other day about the stages dedicated lovers go through when they’re lucky enough to share love for years. At first love starts out like a campfire that burns quickly, very hot and needs constant fuel. We’ve definitely been there together.

“Over the years the hot flames transform into a bed of warm, glowing embers. It becomes the kind of fire that is a comfort to sleep beside because it is constant and glowing. To some it might appear to be out or fading, but the miraculous thing about this glowing fire, besides the comfort it provides, is the minimal effort it takes to fan it into dancing flames again.

“The slightest bit of fuel — a soft kiss, a hand held in the night or a kind act is all it takes for us to re-ignite that flame again and again. I ask God constantly to remind me to do those things and much more to let you know I love you.”

Those words still describe our love and the way I feel about it very well. Right now I’m just stoking those coals slowly and staying close to their warmth.

We’re in a season where we are being tested regularly by life. I’m so fortunate that our marriage is so strong. It makes those tests easier to stand.

I wish we were on easy street with big impending plans for retirement. Right now I’m happy to share the small things with my love. For the times we are living through it’s a big win to be happily married to the best woman on the Earth. Right now we’ll just celebrate each day.

Karl Terry writes for Clovis Media Inc. Contact him at:

[email protected]