He courted me for months, being a true gentleman along the way. Patiently he waited, breaking that sturdy wall down around my heart one piece at a time. It had built up slowly over the years, cemented by the pain I had endured. Where I came from, I learned not to trust, and that if I let anyone in, hurt would be my only retribution.
Dan didn’t seem to mind that I made him wait three months before I let him kiss me, or that I replied with a kind thank you when he expressed his love. It was his willingness to let me slowly open my heart that made me fall in love with him in the first place.
Chivalry was second nature to him, yet all new to me. Where I came from men didn’t respect women. But Dan quickly changed that. He knew how to treat a lady. Always opening doors for me and helping me put on a jacket. Love notes would be found on my pillow at night and warm tender kisses touched my lips every morning before he left for work. He never, ever, went a day without telling me how much he loved me. That was my Dan. My sweet loving Dan.
Oh, how he loved sending flowers. For no reason at all I would be surprised by a brightly colored bouquet that smelled just as sweet as the morning sunshine. Often he would take pleasure in handing them to me himself, but every once in a while I would be surprised with a delivery truck dropping off an arrangement. It was just his way to show how much he cared, and that I was special to him.
Off all the flowers I have received over the years it is the basket of yellow roses with white daises that I will treasure the most. A purple butterfly was perched on the side handle of the basket and the note attached simple said “Thinking of you, Love Dan.” These will forever be my favorite as you sent them to me out of the blue the day before you went to Heaven.
Now I have an angel watching over me from up above. I may not be able to see him, but I can still feel his love deep within my heart. When I close my eyes tight the vision of him softly caressing my cheeks with his fingertips comes rushing back as vividly as it had when he was still lying by my side.
Time may have changed things, but there is one thing I know for sure now. Where I come from, there was a kind and gentle man who showed me the true meaning of love.
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