This blog is a departure from the norm because today is my 17th wedding anniversary and I am thousands of miles away in a Federal prison in Texas. If anyone thinks that being separated from your family and being locked in prison is the absolute worst, then I submit to you that the true hardship is felt not by the incarcerated but rather the family still at home. You see a prison sentence does not just punish the prisoner but his whole family. Now I am not advocating leniency for all criminals in prison, but I have seen way too many men, husbands and fathers of non-violent crimes separated from their families needlessly. America’s commitment to mass incarceration has become a warehouse of men and has left a path of destruction in its wake with wives and children as the true victims.
I may be physically separated on this; my 17th wedding anniversary, but no prison walls nor barbed wire fence can imprison my love and commitment to my wife and family.
So this blog is for all to read but is written to only one person, my beautiful bride, my wife, the mother of my children, and my soul mate.
I love you honey.
17
My seventeenth wedding anniversary is today
But I wont be home, I’m far, far away
Seventeen years? But it seems like yesterday
The day all our family and friends came to stay
Laughter and good fun was had by all
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday that September if I recall
It was a day I pledged my love and devotion
To a woman who is still the source of my emotion
I said “ I do” and she replied in kind
This most beautiful woman, body and mind
A contract was signed that day in September
With my life partner and I as its charter member
“Would you do it again?” I have heard many query
To which I reply, ” A million times over, without hesitation or worry.”
You see when true love is found the commitment is just the start
For the meaning of true love is found in your heart
Seventeen years later and between us, many miles
My loves keeps on growing, the mere thought of “US” brings smiles
So I’ll say it again like I did at the start
I will love you forever, till death do us part.
Happy Anniversary
I love you honey.
Steve, I love this blog! Made me cry, hard. I so agree with you about the prisons full of men that made mistakes and the families they left behind. I bet this blog will hit a lot of people right in the emotions. You’re a poet and you didn’t know it!!
I love you and Sam with all my heart. I remember the day she brought you around for “our approval”. It was a no-brainer. You and she were (and still are) perfect for each other. I have so many memories of all of our good times together. More will come in the future, that I’m sure. So, this Saturday Phil and I will raise a glass in honor of you and Sam and toast your love and commitment. You guys have a lot to celebrate (albeit apart) in your journey to this point and there will surely be more to celebrate in the future. Happy Anniversary, Friend!!! Love, Beth
Ah, Steve – we’ve already agreed on how we can do a little bit on your behalf, but this, more than anything else you (or anyone else) could do, is what will connect you and Sam at the heart on your very special day, despite physical separation. We have seen and thoroughly appreciated your maturing growth in the 20 years since Samantha brought you home to Bob’s 60th birthday party, when we all seemed to recognize you as “the ONE”, and it has only made all our connections stronger and deeper.
You will not allow whatever years you are there to be wasted, and neither will Sam. Joy will be blunted, we know, the easy, familiar touches and passions changed in form and frequency, but I honestly believe you will both create new ways and patterns, and the intensity may surprise you. Bob and I have had to do some of that give the illness and losses of old age, and it was able to happen given the depth of where we started. That foundation is there for you two as well.
Love can always grow, even when it is so deep to begin with.
XOX,
Dennie
Hi Steve, Just wanted to drop you a quick blog. Congrats on your 17th wedding anniversary I
heard they had a good dinner with good company (minus you) we know that you were there
in every ones heart. I’m so glad you are blogging , that really helps us and it really helps you.
Keep your spirits up and we will keep your spirits up in return. We love you and think about
you every day.
Carol & Bob
XOXO