It’s been 8 years since I fell in love with a Marine Veteran. I knew that he was rough on the edges, but I saw something within him, something soft, something gentle and caring. When we first started dating he opened up to me quite a bit about some of the things that he has been dealing with, the pain, the guilt, and the nightmares that have been plaguing him for over 2 decades. He shared things that he has had bottled up for many years, about how he feels guilty because he made it back home from the war, he feels that the soldiers that lost their lives are the true heros for they gave the ultimate sacrifice.
He has shared stories of joy and absolute horror with me, things that I could absolutely not comprehend. I look at him in amazement and thank God every minute of the day for having his hand of protection upon this man that he had hand picked for me to spend the rest of my life with. I know that God’s grace was upon him long before he even gave God a second glance. I know that God had angels surrounding him, guiding him and protecting him from harm.
He does not see that, he is so unselfish, he always worries about the ones that he cares about and puts their needs above his own. Many times others don’t even realize that he is doing this because he will not say anything about it to them, although it may hurt him to the bone he will not say anything to them. He has made countless sacrifices for the ones that he loves and has not asked for anything in return, nor does he expect any praise or repayment.
He has a kind, gentle soul beneath this layer of pain, anguish and anger that he has been hiding behind for many years. He does struggle to keep this wall up, but once in a while I get a glimpse of this gentleness and I am absolutely blown away. He treats me like an absolute queen–opening the car door, letting me in the door first, sleeping on the side the bed furthest from the bathroom and the like, These are his true qualities.
Like today for instance he calls me and left me a message, I just called to say I love you and I miss you, I hope you have a great day. & later today he called me for directions, he was on a delivery and I know the area better than he does, so ofcourse I talk him through until he finds where he is going. He kept saying thank you, I’m sorry to bother you. I also got him samples of his medicine from the doctor since he’s almost out so he doesn’t have to worry about it. He says -you are a lifesaver, thank you so much, Babydoll. He’s got this thing lately of calling me Babydoll and I love it, it makes me feel so special.
When I got home he was exhasted and fighting a headache so he was ready to go to bed early. We were getting ready for bed and he tells me I am his rock, his saving grace. He said even though today was gruelling for him he knew he could count on me to get him through it.
So today on Veteran’s day I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my husband, my Marine Veteran! Thank you Hunnie for everything that you have done for me, that you do for me on a daily basis and I pray that we will face many more years together. I know that we are going to have our struggles, our ups and downs, but I pray that we keep focused on each other and the reason that we fell in love to begin with.
And thank you for your sacrifice in serving our Country, I know that you take pride in being a Marine Veteran.
All my love,
Your loving wife
The life of a Cajun girl. It's anything but ordinary 