Recently I was sitting at the hospital and saw the sweetest couple. An older woman was helping an older man out of the bathroom. While this may seem very normal to some, something about this couple captured me. I was drawn to them. I continued to watch as she helped him navigate the waiting room. He was twice her size. She was a small petite woman and he appeared to be over 6 foot tall. At first, she was behind him with her hand on his back but he had trouble hearing her so she took the lead and he followed her. She had his hand in hers as he followed behind her. He was content to let her lead and she was so sweet about it. At one point he stumbled over his own feet and they both looked at each other and had a laugh as though they were the only ones in the room. As if it was an inside joke. I watched them throughout the rest of the morning sitting in the waiting room. He would say something and they would laugh. She would answer for him when his name was called. She filled out his forms. He told her thank you. She said I love you and he said it back. My heart melted.
Why was this worth sharing? Something about it touched my heart and made me think. I was only seeing a glimpse into their little world but I could tell that it was full of love. I imagine they have been married most of their lives. Perhaps they married as young adults and grew up together as many couples do. I imagine it wasn’t always this way. At one time he probably gently guided her into a room. They’ve probably cried together. They’ve probably had disagreements and maybe even heated discussions. They’ve probably been through some really hard, trying times together. But they have also probably laughed a lot. They’ve loved a lot. They have probably shifted roles when needed but at the core there was love. Lots of love.
This is all speculation of course.
There was just something about this couple.
Something about the way he looked at her. Something about the way she kindly guided him across the room. Something about the way they laughed. Something about the way they said I love you. I could tell they have a story.
It made me think of my life. We’ve been married 22 years and I often imagine us at 40 years, 50 years, 60 years. I don’t know who will need to be guided through a room at different times in our life. I don’t know who will be the one to stumble or who will be the one to laugh as if we are the only ones in the room. But I do know that I want “I love you” to be something we say even in a crowded waiting room. I want to have his hand in mine. I want us to guide each other when needed. I want us. Whatever that looks like.
When you look to the future with you and your person, what does that look like?
Remember that today is just a page in our book. Yesterday’s page has turned and tomorrow is not yet written. There will be more chapters. Some good and some not so good. But such is life and love. We love through it. All of it.
