Darling Sylvia,

This year, in a fit of nostalgia, I bought an Amazon selection that includes 55 heirloom vegetable varieties (28,000 seeds). Add to that 21 varieties of old-fashioned cottage garden flowers.  Heirloom seeds are open pollinated varieties.  If you collect the seeds in the fall, they will breed true in the spring.  Remaining true in the present to characteristics inherited from the past is what I cherish in heirloom seeds.

As with heirloom seeds, remaining true to vital characteristics through our life is important in our relationship.  I love you now, more than in 1965, when we first met in “Bonehead Chem.” I earned an easy B that football season.   Dr. Potter’s grade was OK, but the introduction to my lab partner was God’s gift to this jack pine stump jumper. Late-night coke and dance dates in the Union and endless intense conversations at Lumberjack Park changed friends into lovers.

On June 21, 1969, we wed, traveled to the University of Minnesota (via the Mystery Spot) and stepped out on our amazing journey. We learned that love is more complicated than we dreamed back in college. But, like heirlooms, we remain true to vital characteristics. We grow in love. We never stop playing. We continue talking and listening to understand.

I love you more every day.  I am a very lucky man.

Eddie

What are the vital characteristics in your relationship?

If you have not done so, give them names so you can talk about them.

What can you do to nourish those characteristics?