On this day thirty years ago were two red roses for my beloved.

Over a thousand days we had been friends, yet this particular day was different. Not too many days before, she had captured my heart. Was it her beauty? Her charm? Her character? Yes, all of that and more. This young lady had become everything that I envisioned in the person with whom I would want to spend my life. And on this particular day, my heart’s desire was for our friendship to grow into something more.

I called her on the phone, asking if I could come over to speak with her. She agreed, and half an hour later I was at her doorstep, holding two red roses. One rose seemed insufficient, but two red roses, bound together and perfect complements of each other, expressed without words that which I found difficult to verbalize.

A new chapter in our relationship began this day thirty years ago. From time to time, especially this day, I find myself recreating that chapter in my mind. Thirty years later, my beloved still captures my heart. Is it her beauty? Her charm? Her character? Yes, all of that and more.

That is why on this day are two red roses for my beloved.