February 14, 1981 Revisited

30 years ago today I wrote my fiancee a “love letter” based on 1 Corinthians 13. We were still a little more than 5 months away from our wedding day. I’m still learning to love but I am very proud to say that this 30+ year love adventure that my bride and I have been on is one that I would excitedly do all over again. In fact, it just keeps getting better. Here’s what I wrote then and what I still mean now.

Love is patient:

This is the one thing I’m being forced to learn as the Lord takes this time to prepare us for each other and for Himself. It’s been said that anything worth having is worth waiting for. You, my love, will be well worth the wait though I long to be with you now every minute of every day.

Love is kind:

This is something the Lord must teach me – not just an everyday kindness which makes me seem like a kind person, but an out of the way kindness which can only spring from love. I would hope that as we grow together I would love you more and more in a kind way – sensitive to every need, passion, and affection.

Love does not envy:

On the basis of this definition I would have to say that I don’t know how to love. Envy oft overwhelms me; whether I am envious of looks, intelligence, athletic ability, spirituality, leadership qualities, degree of worldly success, or whatever – it does not and cannot stem from love. I would pray that we would look to the Lord to meet all our needs and not look at the worldly standard of living which is quite lacking in manifest love.

Love does not boast:

With each definition it is getting tougher and tougher to love. “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast about this: that he knows and understands me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” I wonder if it’s ok for me to boast about how much I love you?

Love is not proud:

Another stumbling block. Pride bites at our heel in everything we accomplish. There is always that tendency to say, “Look what I’ve done!” I pray that as our life together is a testimony to the love of Jesus that the world might see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

Love always protects:

I already feel very protective of you. Perhaps the only way I can protect you now is in my prayers – but I look forward to loving you into security, safety, and soundness of mind, soul, and body.

Love always trusts:

No doubt this is crucial to a marriage relationship. I hope you will always trust me to do what’s best for us. At least you can always trust that I love you more than anybody else in the world and that my love is always there to lift you up and carry you into glory.

Love always hopes:

I have so many hopes, dreams, and aspirations for us. I pray that God would give us hopes and dreams that would shake us from our apathy and complacency and settle us into the fellowship of faith that always reaches out to others in love.

Love always perseveres:

No matter what we go through in our pilgrimage I will always be at your side to sustain you and to be sustained by you. Let us keep our eyes on the cross for the sheer joy set before us and continue to pursue a love which will surely bring glory, honor, and praise to the Lord.

Love never fails:

I may fail but my love for you will never fail. You have given me so much joy that I am always motivated to love you more and more. And there is so much about you to love that I could never love you too much. But God knows I will try.

The love that I have waited for
The love I’ve never known before;
The love that gives me so much joy
I don’t know what to do.
The love that moves my heart to sing
The love that only you could bring;
The love that means the most to me
Is all because of you.

I love you Linda,
Shay

February 14, 1981