As a Christian, I have experienced life anew. Even as a child it is easy to remember the day I chose to accept Christ as my Savior. The heavy weight that lifted from my heart when I knew Jesus was God’s son and he had died for me. I could experience life. An abundant life. With the promise of an eternal life when I was finished here on earth.

At 72 years of age, I have experienced an abundant life. It has been filled with the joy of raising children, seeing them to adulthood, and watching their parenting experiences. Challenges have also been present. Some because of choices I made, others “just because”. Some things in life cannot be attributed to anything more than lessons to learn.

I honored a marriage commitment for over 51 years. My children’s father was intelligent, good looking, ambitious, and talented. I admired his accomplishments. For the last twenty years of our marriage his health was challenged. The relationship changed, as I became the caregiver and provider. Others who have experienced this kind of relationship change will understand when I say that my partner “needed” me. Anything that would have challenged the marriage commitment, changed. Reasons for loyalty to the marriage adjust. Responsibilities become primary. Survival, both physically and mentally, is of the utmost importance. When my partner’s life ended, my life ended, as I knew it.

Life Anew: The Sweetest Love Story: Even though I vowed to never marry again, I had second thoughts when a friend of mine suggested it was not wise to stop what God might have for me. After making my list of traits I thought would satisfy my needs (which also included some things on which I could NOT compromise) I laughed at God. I thought He would not be able to ever match me with someone with my narrow guidelines. When I responded to a real estate referral call, I had no idea my future partner would be literally “just around the corner”. I met the client. He, pulling up in his yellow Porsche, me in my sweet Audi TT. I greeted him with “yellow is nice” and his response was “black is ok”. By the time we were half way through the property, we identified the fact we had gone to school together. As we left the house I was so flustered (what was happening?) I had to make the second appointment to view the house. Emails quickly went back and forth. Sharing ideas, goals, and pasts. The first date followed and we knew we were in love, the second date was a marriage proposal, the third date we married. Of course, there were many hours together in between the “dates”. Counseling with our Pastor included the plea of “help us put this all in proper prospective”. Should we wait? What will others think of us? Me; a newly widowed woman, he; divorced years ago.

Every day we thank God for one another. My husband’s list of needs matching mine, we have never doubted that God intended for us to be together. Why now? We don’t have answers, but relish each moment we will have together before God takes us home. A blessing everyday, our joy is full. For both of us; Life Anew.