Dear Cherl,

Ten minutes into our first date, I realized I could talk to you for hours, but even then, I didn’t know that those hours would unfold into decades. Our journey really began on our second date at the movies watching “Boys in the Hood.”

I was so moved by Lawrence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr.’s father-son relationship, that I physically started to shake. Those scenes dug up painful memories of my strained relationship with my father. It felt so urgent that I cut our date short to go talk to him.

Concern crossed your face, and you said I shouldn’t be alone, but you honored my request to go by myself.

That experience prompted me to introduce you to my mother.

My mother called later that evening and said, “Boy, you may not realize it, but I’m telling you – that's your wife.”

I laughed, but she was right and at our wedding she winked at me and mouthed, “I told you so.”

The last 34 years have been a rollercoaster, but I want to thank you for every hour of it, even the day we learned about your cancer diagnosis.

You asked, “What’s wrong?” I said, “Nothing.”

You called me a liar and demanded that I talk to you.

I asked about our plan for salvation, and we walked through it together. You made your confession of faith and hon, that strengthened me as your death neared. I needed the “Blessed Assurance” that we’d see each other again. I believe we will.

So, thank you, Cherl, for the wonderful life we shared.

And until I see you again, I’ll be counting the hours.

~ Your Loving Husband, Glendale