These are comments by Bruce and Paul Kidwell on the post “She’s the One“.
Bruce says:
“I met my wife the second day of college. We were riding across the country to Utah for a wilderness preterm program and I got put in a van with her ‘patrol.’ On the next day I volunteered to ride in her van, and when we got to Utah I kissed her on the way back from brushing our teeth, because I was not sure I would see her for the next three weeks. I did, almost every day. On our three-day solo experience it snowed 16 inches.
“I dreamed I was home in NJ, in the backyard, at a family picnic, with all the fresh food that you can’t carry on a backpacking trip. Fresh corn, fresh home grown tomatoes, etc. And my future wife was there too! I haven’t looked back since I woke up from that dream, 39 years ago. Today is our 31st wedding anniversary. How did I know—we both did. It was electric. She was sophisticated and worldly in a way I was not, but down to earth and loved the outdoors the way I did.”
Paul Kidwell added:
“The first time she showed me that she had my back. I think all people/partners are best measured during those times when things do not go according to plan and you find yourself adrift. For me, I had been downsized and out of a job due to an M&A—second time in 3 years—and left mostly dazed and confused. My wife is the one who suggested to look at myself for the ‘next big thing’ in my career. Almost twelve years ago I ceased relying on the kindness of strangers and struck out on my own as a PR consultant. Haven’t looked back since and get weak in the kneew when I think of that kind of love.“
Photo credit: Flickr / J Jackson Photography