They were the best of friends, the greatest of lovers. He hated being a part from her, and seldom ever was. They raised a wonderful family. There were many good times, though I am sure some not so good times too. Life is an adventure of both at times after all. Though throughout it all, a life led with love, and a tremendous amount of it. The kind we all dream of. Though years went by and in her old age, she eventually forgot his name, who he was. Though he visited her every day as though she still called out to him. He knew the wife that he loved for many, many years, was in many, many, regards gone from him. Yet, he loved her all the same. He made a vow many years prior both to her and to God. To love her for better or for worse. For sickness or in health. He never wavered or stepped aside from that vow. She got diagnosed with dementia a few years prior and the disease took much from her, her loved ones, though especially her husband. The one in whom visited her every day in her new home away from him; breakfast, lunch, dinner. Though she knew him not in those last years, she felt comfort in a familiarity of him, she understood not. He, in turn, did not want to spend any time more than necessary from where she was. For just as always, where she was, he wanted to be. Even if she was a shell of who he once knew. Eventually the disease stole what was left, and she passed away. The next time she opened her eyes she would be with the Lord. Leaving her mind at peace and all parts of her healed. Though her husband would still be here grieving her. My children and I would visit him often. Tic tac toe, ice cream sandwiches and a whole lot of stories of love. He always talked about her, showed us her picture like it was the first time, though it was maybe the hundredth, as he spoke proudly of her. He often spoke of how he couldn’t wait for the Lord to take him home too, so he could be with his bride. So, when his physical health took its toll, he was much more ready than we were. Though we knew, he too, would be going home to be with the Lord and be reunited with his bride. As life eventually takes us all, it was his time, and he eventually went too. We all grieved. Though I know he wasn’t anymore. This was the love story of my grandma and my grandpa. Their committed love showing me what real marriage looks like. That it isn’t just when times are great, it’s until the end and forever. Though their love did not just show me the beauty of marriage as God intended, it was much deeper than that. How God loves us, His bride. Always wanting to be with us, be near to us as much as possible. To have us be with him forever someday when that trumpet calls. Friend, love as God intended, is beautiful, its forever, through all of the here and now and also eternity. May we love our spouse deeply, yes, though may we also love our Lord deeper yet. For what a glorious day it’ll be to be reunited with our special someone. Though what a day it’ll be to be with our Lord. I think of my grandparents love and I smile and thank God for such a wonderful example of endless love. Serving as both a guide in my marriage to my wonderful husband and a reminder of God’s great love for us all. That beautiful, unconditional, unending love.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Unending love

Ephesians 5:25-28 NIV

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Isaiah 62:5 NIV

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Revelation 19:7 NIV

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.