Nine years ago today, Wes kissed me for the first time.
I'm not super obsessive about remembering dates and occasions like that, June 1 just kinds of sticks in my mind.
It was a starry evening. We'd been to dinner with friends (to celebrate Ron's birthday - Happy Birthday Ron!) and had later joined in a game of ultimate frisbee at a nearby field. Watching Wes play ultimate frisbee was like watching Hercules in battle, like watching an ancient Olympian. He was godlike. Swift, strong, high. It was all I could do to keep my eye on the frisbee.
When the game finished and darkness drove our friends inside, Wes and I lingered. We walked to the steps of an adjoining elementary school and sat down. I prayed my hair wasn't a disaster and that my sweaty, post-frisbee body wasn't smelly. We talked about meaningful things. About love. And when our conversation lulled, Wes gently brushed a few wind-blown locks of hair away from my face and kissed me.
I rehearsed the memory aloud for him this morning in the bathroom while I washed his body down with a warm washcloth. As I talked cheerfully, reminiscently, my eyes took in all the sobering changes - the unfamiliar contour of his muscles and bones, the discoloration of his toes and fingers. His dry skin drank in the lotion from my hands. His face, swollen from steroids, smiled when I asked, "Does that feel good?"
Emotion caught in my throat as I smiled back at that KIND, PATIENT, HUMBLE, LONG-SUFFERING face - that truly God-like man.
We're still kissing regularly.
And sometimes when I lean over Wes's bed to say good morning, or good afternoon, or good night, he slowly brings his cool fingers to rest on my cheek. Like he knows me. Like he loves me. Like he just wants to look at me. The sensation generally causes me to forget what I was about to say. And I've come to treasure those moments of wordless communication as much as all the kissing in the world.
Sir, you are my second self
And I will be your hands, I'll be your eyes
I am here with my heart...
I will never lose heart
For God will restore my trust
And I know you're afraid
I'm as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love
(Jane Eyre: The Musical)
Brave enough for love.
26 comments:
Just sitting here reading this with Taylor with tears running down my cheeks. We love you both. You are amazing beyond words.
love love love
How beautiful. How beautiful to compare the past to the present, to document the anniversary of your first kiss and to write about love. Absolutely beautiful. Just like you and your family has always been in my eyes.
I've been listening to (and loving) the Jane Eyre musical all week. Here's a thought for a Lori/Wes date night: there is a fantastic Masterpiece Theater version of Jane Eyre 2006 (starring Ruth Wilson). Perhaps you've already seen it; I just recently viewed it and was in love with the interpretation.
Love you and Wes!
A love this true and pure will overcome everything. Every trial only makes it stronger. So glad you have each other. Thank you for your example and the beautiful story.
I can't say much more then others have already said. I echo their sentiments. And I love you both!
ps. Flooding?! Yikes, I can't imagine that with everything else you have going on! Hope everything is okay!
Beautiful and touching. Thank you for sharing.
Love the haircut Wes! What a sweet post, Lori--we love you guys!
There are no words to convey what our hearts feel at times....
POWERFUL is the language of the spirit....and you (Lori and Wes)have mastered that language! We adore you both.
Lori,
You and Wes are better than any Jane Austen novel, and I love Jane Austen. Thank you for sharing such a personal example of the power of love and a marriage based on love of each other and our Savior.
Love
I always felt like you and Wes had one of the best love stories I'd ever heard. Thanks for sharing a little bit more of it with us ;)
you write so beautifully.
i love your beautiful family lori & wes.
As I read this I'm reminded of Shakespeare's Sonnet 114, which I memorized in college:
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
You guys are amazing.
Such a beautiful testament to true and godly love. You are such an inspiration to me. I pray for you and Wes daily. Words can't accurately portray the amount of admiration and awe I have for you. Much love, Lindsay (old V.T. partner and fellow Hall Advisor)
Teared up reading this. You and Wes are so solid in every aspect. We're thinking of you.
You are beautiful. This was beautiful to read. Thank you sincerely for sharing your life.
What a beautiful post!! I hope you know how much we all love each of you and pray for you daily!!
Thank you for allowing Phoebe and me to share part of your "love story" with the Laurels in our stake last week-end. You are such a great example to all of us!!
We began telling your story with this quote:
"Divine love...different from that which the world sees mostly physical attraction...but the love the Lord speaks of which is not only physical attraction but also faith, confidence, understanding, and partnership. It is devotion and companionship, parenthood, common ideals and standards. It is cleanliness of life and sacrifice and unselfishness. This kind of love never tires nor wanes. It lives on through sickness and sorrow, through prosperity and privation, through accomplishment and disappointment, through time and eternity." Spencer W. Kimball
You both give us something to work towards!!
We LOVE you all!!
Laurie
p.s. So sorry about the flood..ahhh!! Wish we were there to help you!
Again, I'm sitting with tears running down my cheeks in complete awe of the "Lori&Wes" love story. You two are such an example of "divine love" like Laurie said, we appreciate you allowing us to share a little of your story with our yw. It brought the perfect spirit to our presentation. You are always in our prayers, and thoughts:) and so so sorry about the flood. ugh. love you all!
Blurry eyes, tears running down my face, and love in my heart for the 2 of you. Love you guys and love your beautiful words.
always so touched by what you share, lori. i feel so tenderly for your sweet family.
every time i click away from your blog my heart feels purer than it did when i came. thank you.
xo
em
The "Lori" comment was really me in disguise.
Written OH so beautifully- you guys are amazing. Thinking of you and your family, and sending prayers your way.
Gosh, those lyrics make me want to see the musical. I like the book/films already...
Lovely photos. Lovely moments captured.
Be waiting for a surprise on your doorstep!
Your post is one of the sweetest things I've ever read. Thanks for sharing that. We love you guys. --Mark and Erica Adams
thank you for letting be a part of this journey.
McKenzi and I love you guys! We hope to become more like you two. Full of love for each other, and having all those good things you spoke of. Thank you for your wonderful examples, especially through this trying time. Let us know if there's anything we can do for you guys.
Love,
Jonny and McKenzi Harrop
Lori,
I just found out about Wes. I cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. I am crying as I write this. I know it is poor comfort, but please know that your friends in North Carolina are paying for you, Lucy, and Spencer. We love you!
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