When I was eighteen I surrendered my heart to you,

To gain your hand in marriage I had so much to do,

Marriage was in the future hidden in both our mind,

Everyone kept saying true love is very hard to find,

Upon first sight I knew you would be my only life love,

So many dreams of you plus many signs from above,

To have seen you in my dreams before we ever met,

Showed the direction for my heart to never forget,

So taken by your beauty I could hardly stand or speak,

Your beautiful eyes and smile are part of your mystique,

Allow me into your life I pleaded deep within my being,

When I would sleep at night you were all I was dreaming,

I surrendered my heart but I was wild making you unsure,

Plus your requests for us to date were refused so very sure,

I went my way in life knowing someday we would date,

Admiring you and telling you so, we found a way to relate,

Promising I’d marry you someday my words were sincere,

After boot camp allowed to date when at last I held you near,

Tears fell from my breaking heart as I held riverboat orders,

Boat gunners life’s were short in combat of political borders,

My letters taken by your mother caused misunderstanding,

I was unsure of us when suddenly you’re where I am standing,

The magic in your heart placed you where you needed to be,

So often our flame was kept alive by shared love magically,

Unknown to each other, to the other we had dedicated our life,

I had vowed to return to you and I did to ask you to be my wife,

Every day since that day we were more committed to the other,

Time had given us the years to show our love for one another,

So many things tried to pull us apart yet our love stayed true,

The draft, war, your sister, mother, and age, all against you,

Each time I saw you since 1965 I declared my love aloud,

Just to be seen at your beautiful side made me feel so proud,

Since hearing yes to marry me my love has grown each day,

I am sincere in stating my growing love, words I love to say,

In times of angst or trouble my love never faltered for you,

You’re more beautiful each and every day, this I say so true,

 
Each gray hair in your beautiful head I claim as all mine,

As you age securing new lines of beauty you are divine,

Gorgeous radiates your form in shape and personality too,

After fifty one wonderful years I am more in love with you!

The end. For Patti by Pat.