I miss my Valentine
Vietnam Veteran, killed by Agent Orange.
Frugal, simple, smart. He could build anything, fix anything. Resourceful, King of Making-Do. When I moved to his place he told me nobody would ever harm me again.
We passed an “I Love You” note back and forth every day for nearly 16 years. My turn to find it one day, his turn the next day. It would be in a boot, the refrigerator, under a plant, most anywhere. It disappeared after his brain Cancer got bad. I was heart-broken because he was so sad he couldn’t remember where he hid it. The day I took our bed down to make room for his hospital bed, I found it. Better than a winning multi-million dollar Megabucks ticket.
He called me”Sweetie” and made me the most beautiful pair of brass bookends in the form of stylized calla lillies. I patched his shirts and read to him and made him a mobile out of antique cast iron tool parts. He gave me his favorite hammer. I gave him my favorite little carved bird.
We had a little seasonal secondhand/antique shop. Both of us loved fixing things up. We had a dog named Sage and a cat named Lily with his middle name, Elliot…..Lily Elliot, a Maine Coon cat.
We always drove a used vehicle. Our last van had 263,000 miles on it when it died.
He bought me a lilac tree, I bought him an apple tree. We made an herb garden, built birdfeeders and a giant wind chime made out of copper pipes with an old bread board for the clapper.
I’d surprise him with a homemade pie and he’d surprise me with a picnic. We’d actually take a folding card table, linen tablecloth, lawn chairs, pull off on the side of the road somewhere and be fancy. People would stare, but lots of them would toot and wave as they drove by. Outside-the-box picnicing..
My kids and grandkids loved him so much. My son has the flag the VA gave me in his honor. One grandson has his “official” Ted Williams fishpole. My daughter has our “Always Buying” sign. Another grandson has his awl. And there’s more….
This might not be the right place for this type of thing, but I really, really miss my Valentine.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thank you for sharing. 
What a beautiful love story. I thank you for sharing your Valentine with us. 
....and exactly the right place for such a lovely tribute. I'm sure he's waiting on you just around the bend. The quiet, simple joy of beautiful memories is such a treasure.
Now, please excuse me while I go plant an extra kiss or two on my Valentine tonight. 💕
Sending you a big, warm hug...
yours sounds as wonderful as mine... Vietnam Vet... we sent the same greeting cards back and forth to each other over the years... he adored me and I him... we are some of the lucky ones... I know, I miss mine as well
What cherished memories you and your family have - 
Love in action
I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a great man.
and no one will put you down. Your love for husband and he for your are evident in your post. Let you mutual love be a blessing for you and may your love be a blessing. In the Topics, there is a support group for Bereavemnt if you want to visit. I have no more hearts to give, but I will give you a hug.
This absolutely is the correct place to share with us.
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