My VALENTINE

Three years of drought brought a painful end to his father’s farming days,

So they left Nebraska for Boulder, trading farming for a “job that pays.”

The little church on the corner was our first meeting place,

It’s where I got to know the little boy with freckles on his face.

Both of us were bashful, so when we’d meet in high school halls,

We’d barely speak, and then turn red and bump into the walls.

He traded Coke bottle glasses for contacts, grew his crew-cut into curls,

And suddenly he was growing up and interested in girls.

I thought it was to make another girl jealous when he asked me for a date.

She decided to try to get him back, but by then it was too late.

Movies, Lakeside, Twin Burger, Putt-Putt and Dairy Queen,

Together in these places we were often seen.

From a pay phone during a long talk, (we had one every day,)

He first said “I love you” when he ran out of other things to say.

Face to face we sang to one another, well, at least we tried…

That hot August afternoon in ’70, when I became his bride.

On weekends he drove the delivery van and I made the bouquets,

That’s how we made a living all through his college days.

ROTC gave us the chance to live in Washington D.C.,

Then, off for more school in Houston, as a Dresser Atlas employee.

Thirty-two thousand bought our first little house. Ft. Morgan.’74.

But as a logging engineer he‘d often work 80 hours a week, or more.

I wanted to go to Bible College when I realized how little I really knew,

And soon I had him wishing that he could go there too.

In just a month we sold our house and bought a car named Ruth,

Enrolled ourselves at FBC and traveled with “The Sound of Truth.”

After Florida came West Virginia where our work with teens began,

Plus work at a coal testing lab, two full time jobs was too much for one man.

We loved those kids in Morgantown, but we really missed our kin.

And our little household grew a bit when we moved back home again.

First came Mark in ‘82, our precious, red-haired baby boy,

Then redhead Phillip In ‘85, blessed our lives and doubled our joy.

Laid off twice in just three years, how could he provide

When no one wants to hire a man who’s “overqualified?”

He finally found a job in Northglenn on Robertsons’ payroll

Shift work on the assembly line and then into quality control.

He designed their computer system, and kept it up to date

That’s when he discovered the job he loves, a perfect fit, it’s great.

Clipper Court, the condo at Madero, then a year with Mom and Dad

Then one day at an auction we bought a house, put down all the cash we had.

We lived in Broomfield 16 years, and changed the place so much,

We planted trees, put in windows, laid new floors and gave it our own touch.

But ’03 brought big changes, when MPI was bought by Ball,

We moved to Burleson, Texas, where we’ve learned to say “y’all.”

Our empty nest became full house when our college boys moved home,

Now, we’re enjoying their company until they move out on their own.

We have lived in lots of places and enjoyed so many things,

Since that day so long ago when we gave each other rings.

I chose to love him then and I choose to love him now.

Our lives, our goals, hearts and souls, became entwined with a vow.

There have been some ups and downs, of that you can be sure,

But, our commitment’s prized reward is a love that will endure.

Making plans, dreaming dreams, sharing smiles and tears,

We’re working as a team and we will throughout our years.

He’s my sweetheart, He’s my friend. There’s no one else for me,

My provider, protector, my love and my life, until eternity.