Michele of Letters From New York City has been asking people to tell her about their first loves.

Since my first is really my only (AND my now), and the saga spans some 13 years between first kiss and marriage - full of tawdry, assorted ups and downs that would take a novel to document - I needed to find a short way to cover the story.

Then I was surfing at Eckernet.com, and noticed that Kevin had written up a sort of fantasy personals ad listing everything he could ever want in a woman. I'd like to quote the whole darn thing, but it's fairly extensive, and I'd rather have you read it in context, so I'll only take the beginning and let you read the rest for yourself:

I'm looking for an smart, funny, logical, rational, self-confident, fairly-independent ex-gymnast with a great body. A woman who would be fun to drink with, isn't shy about sex and doesn't mind discussing politics. If you can out drink me while discussing the geopolitical effects of nuclear power using only four-letter words, you just might be the one.

I said to myself, "Holy crap! That's Beloved Wife!" (who actually DID take gymnastics lessons as an adult - and that was BEFORE she started seriously working out and transforming herself into the sexy goddess you see here).

As I continued to read Kevin's wish list, I kept repeating those 5 words.

Then it dawned on me.

Beloved Wife is my all-in-one wish list.

She always has been, and I knew it from the start.

Although when I first kissed her at age 19, I didn't have a detailed listing prepared, I had a sense of all those wants, and I could see that she matched all the ones I was aware of.

She was right for me. I knew it. I fell in love with her. I never stopped loving her.

Even through some dark, hopeless, barren years when there was no hope that she could be mine again (for her heart at that point belonged to another), I *knew* that finding someone to match me as well as she did was nigh hopeless, so I didn't even try.

I *knew* what I wanted, and she was it.

And eventually, when the timing was right in both our lives, and the stars aligned, it all started again as it started the first time.

A single, perfect kiss, and all was once again right with the universe.

As it has been ever since.

With my Beloved Wife.

My first, my last, my only love.

Posted by: Harvey at 12:32 AM | Comments (17) | Add Comment
Post contains 441 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Ok....I admit it. I'm in love with your wife. And I think she can do better.

Posted by: Kevin at February 24, 2005 12:54 AM (tpdFV)

2 trying not to cry here...

Posted by: sarahk at February 24, 2005 05:54 AM (q4IUH)

3 I made a list. How sick is that? And not a 'has to own a boat list', nothing materialistic as it's not me, but a real list of what characteristics he had to have if I chose to settle down. I actually met a lot of guys who fit the list... but fell in love with one. When I move to munu, do you think it will remember my damn information in the comments? Bah!

Posted by: Bou at February 24, 2005 06:13 AM (z7nbM)

4 Kevin - First, get in line; second, you're tellin' ME :-) Sarah - don't bother. I misted up while I was proofreading it. If you're a girl, you don't stand a chance. Bou - YAY! You said "when" :-) Also, I've been told that if you access the comments by clicking the permalink instead of the comments link, it'll remember your info. And check to make sure cookies are allowed on your browser _Jon - do you have any idea why this might be happening? Not that you know anything about computers ;-) By the way, how many of SarahK's passwords DID you get with that key capture program?

Posted by: Harvey at February 24, 2005 06:33 AM (ubhj8)

5 I love watching you two interact. The way you know each others minds, the little things (like ice cream drinks delivered) the way you look out for each other. It's a wonderful thing to observe - and I can't imagine one without the other. What a beautiful story.

Posted by: Tammi at February 24, 2005 06:35 AM (pe4E7)

6 Sniff, sniff.... that was so beautiful! Your relationship is both wonderful and special. I am really happy you found your kindred soulmate. It give me hope. Thanks for indulging my request and for sharing such a special love with all of us.

Posted by: michele at February 24, 2005 07:44 AM (ht2RK)

7 *sniff, sniff* ok, Harv. That was great. I am always impressed when I am not the only one who feels that way about my better half and better half about me. We started dating when I was 17 and better half was 18, but for a brief 3 month hiatus, we have been together ever since, and can read eachother like a book and it is wonderful. When you love like you and Beloved Wife, others can see it too. Congrats. I am glad you get to spend your life with your soulmate.

Posted by: Oddybobo at February 24, 2005 07:48 AM (6Gm0j)

8 Sure, sure, that's all well and good, but if you forget Sweetest Day, you're still going to catch hell. But living down here in Missouri, men are exempt from having to remember that particular FTD/Hallmark confection.

Posted by: Brian J. at February 24, 2005 08:44 AM (V04ml)

9 Aww, Harv... how sweet!

Posted by: songstress7 at February 24, 2005 09:46 AM (jEGU/)

10 Yes, on all .mu.nu sites, I must use the "permalink" in order for the comment personal info to be remembered. It's been that way for over a year now. It doesn't matter the browser (IE, Mozilla, Opera, Firefox, etc...). It doesn't matter where I am (work, home, my daughter's my laptop, someone else's lap, etc...). I don't have much interest in pursuing it, as I've found an easy way to get around it. I am still unhappy with how long blogger takes to open the comment page, and that it doesn't have the blank form at the bottom, but that's off topic. Yes, I have her passwords. Who do you think has been posting on IMAO? Come on, she can't even carry the one.... --- As for the topic of the post - I'm happy for you. I know where you are, I know what it's like. I'm glad two people who are so good, and so special have each other.

Posted by: _Jon at February 24, 2005 01:16 PM (ZM3Qb)

11 Lucky, lucky Harv. Yes I am :-)

Posted by: Harvey at February 24, 2005 01:36 PM (tJfh1)

12 Do you have a hot younger brother???

Posted by: Sissy at February 24, 2005 02:48 PM (RuwTD)

13 Sissy - Actually, I *am* the hot younger brother. 7th son, last of 8 children. My youngest single brother is 48, and he's got a girlfriend. Us Olson boys get snapped up fast :-)

Posted by: Harvey at February 24, 2005 03:25 PM (tJfh1)

14 I love beer. And llamas.

Posted by: Ogre at February 24, 2005 03:49 PM (CsBmW)

15 Now just why is it that the day I had last Friday didn't manage to make me cry, but this post did?

Posted by: Susie at February 24, 2005 10:43 PM (1fn9f)

16 Susie - because romance still lives in your soul. If you can read this story without misting up, you're either dead inside, or have never been in love.

Posted by: Harvey at February 25, 2005 12:45 AM (ubhj8)

17 Oh alright, you more than made up for the "chafing bonds of wedded bliss" comment and we can bring your acorn in from outside. Let's go to bed! Your Beloved Wife

Posted by: TNT at February 25, 2005 10:45 PM (ubhj8)

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