100 posts, it's been a long time coming. While many of you have far surpassed this mark, I for one have been much slower. So after completing my 99th post I felt I had to come up with something creative to mark the milestone. I tried starting a few times but nothing seemed to come together. But then the light bulb went off above my head. I decided it had to be something that I was passionate about and it also had to be easy for me to discuss. The answer was then quite simple, I decided to write about my beautiful wife, Lori, and dedicate this 100th post to her.
I met Lori 26 years ago when we both worked in the IT group of a major Canadian bank. We didn't work together but our paths crossed occasionally. As a group some of the us would get together after work and through this I got to know her. I still remember the time when Lori and I were sitting in our cars talking through the open windows and she told me she "needed a hug". Who was I to turn that down. Well needless to say that was the beginning of our lives together.
We married Nov 19, 1983 and it' been amazing ever since. We have 3 terrific children, the youngest of which is going off to college next month. We have moved a total of 7 times in 23+ years although we have remained put for the past 10 here in the Quinte Region. We've gone through the highs and the lows like any other family but I wouldn't change it for anything.
I almost lost Lori 21 years ago in a major car accident. She was critically injured and had to be taken by air ambulance from the local hospital in Whitby to the trauma unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. One of the most difficult things for me at the time was to see her lying on a trauma unit bed, unconscious and not responding to me. I thought our lives together was going to end but thanks to the amazing surgeons and other doctors at Sunnybrook, she recovered over time.
So here it is in 2007 and I'm totally in love with this woman. She is not only my wife, the mother of our children but she is also my best friend. I look forward to being with her each and every day and I know she feels the same way about me. Lori is dedicated to our children and me, providing encouragement, support and love without conditions. She is thoughtful in her choice of words, diplomatic with family matters and never demanding. We have had our differences of opinion but she gets her point across effectively in a caring and gentle manner. Lori has encouraged me in all aspect of my working life, from leaving the bank and going out on my own, not once but twice. She was the one who felt I should get my real estate license because she knew I would enjoy it and be good at it. Of course she was right.
I am so looking forward to the rest of our lives together and truly hope that each day will be as full as past ones.
Finally, I would like to quote a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning titled How Do I Love Thee as it says so well what is in my heart.
How Do I Love Thee
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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