Monday, February 9

A Valentine to Remember

The subject for this week is Valentine's Day and though we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, I do have a memory that I think you will enjoy.


The photo above is of my first husband, Lynn. He was my childhood sweetheart. We met when I was 8 years old and moved from the one-room school to the two-room school. He and my brother became friends and from there friendships grew.

We also became close friends and we spent a lot of time together. I was not one of the popular girls in school and I had a crush on this young man. I was always happy when he came around to visit my brother.

I was always nervous when Valentine's Day came around. At school, we always had a Valentines box and on the morning of the celebration, we brought our Valentine's to school and placed them in the box. For some reason I was always afraid that I wouldn't get any. Some years I got quite a few and other years were not so good.

One year, I received a Valentine that had no name on the back. It was a sweet card that said, "Please Be Mine," within a heart. There was a boy and girl on the card holding hands. I had no idea who it could be from. It wasn't long until I found out. The next weekend, Lynn told me that it was he who had placed the Valentine in the box with my name on it. Being rather shy, he didn't want the other kids to find out and tease us, so he sent it anonymously. I was very pleased. Until then, I had no idea if he liked me or not. Now I was sure he did.

When I was sixteen and Lynn was nineteen, we married. Three years later we had our daughter, Michelle.

Lynn passed away on December 31, 1977 at approximately 3am. He was 33 and had inherited a rare heart disease from his father, who had died at 43.

I still think of him often and I think you will see quite a resemblence between him and Brandon. He looks so much like his Grandpa Lynn did when we were kids. I think of him often and will never forget that Valentine's Day when I received the anonymous card asking, "Please Be Mine."

If you would like to join the I Remember When meme, please visit Speaking from the Heart. It's a lot of fun stepping back in time through our memories.

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Anni at Hootin' Anni's is celebrating her birthday today. Happy Birthday, dear Friend. Please accept this card as a token of our friendship.

Please drop over and wish Anni a Happy Birthday. If you have never visited her site, you are in for a real treat.

23 comments:

  1. And 32 years later a stranger in Ottawa has read about Lynn and cared for him in his own way.

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  2. What a nice remembrance. I didn't realize how young your first husband was when he passed. It was have been a very difficult time for you. Yes - Brandon does look like him!

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  3. There are moments in one's life were you just have to visit a friend to simply say hi! at the moment down here there are no other words it is all too sad. Lee-ann

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  4. such a sweet and beuatiful Valentines remembrance Mary. Lynn will always live on in Brandon and Michelle and in your lovely memories. Thank you for sharing them with us.

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  5. What a wonderful tribute to Lynn. He was a very handsome man. It's sad to know that he lived such a short life, but that life included YOU and Michelle. You'll always have that. I really felt that I got to know you both a bit more. And the anon valentine card is just too sweet. What a man!!!!

    Thanks so much for the lovely surprise this morning. I ♥ you too, my dear friend. You made my birthday brighter!! You really did! Thanks for the beautiful gift too.

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  6. Gee Mom I've never heard that story before!! Thank you very much for sharing!! Even if I did have to go on your blog to hear it!! lol xoxo

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  7. How sweet!! I had a friend that lost her hubby at about 36 years old so I went through that with her back then..It must have been really hard to have had to let him go so young!! Wow!! What a nice post and a lovely tribute to him...

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  8. So I met through the blog, 'candace' How wonderful. It's going to be a lot of fun.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. What a sweet and touching story, Mary.
    To lose your husband at such a young age must have been unbelievably difficult for you.
    Such a blessing that you can see him each time you see Brandon.
    xo

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  11. Such a beautiful memory to hold in your heart. Wonderful post Mary.

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  12. I enjoyed this walk down memory lane. I knew that you'd been married before and married young but not what happened to him. I'm glad you were able to post the picture.
    Mama Bear

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  13. What an awesome tribute to you late husband. You are an incredible woman to go on with life and to raise Michelle. My mom did the same when she was 21 years old. I don't think I can do it.

    Thank you for sharing your precious memories.

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  14. What a sweet post, Mary! Your first love and what a good looking guy, too! He was way too young to die. But the memories you have, you hold close in your heart, and that keeps him alive forever. I love love stories like yours!

    ((( HUGS )))

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  15. I love this story. Very sweet. Since I live in the Valentine Capital of the World, it's good to hear such a story.

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  16. Mary
    That was a touching story and Lynn will be forever young in your heart. What a beautiful memory.
    Peace

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  17. What a sweet story about your Valentine. :o)

    I think Brandon looks more like you, but I can see the resemblance to Lynn as well.

    Off to wish Anni a happy birthday!

    Have a great week, Mary.

    Love and hugs,

    Diane

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  18. Beautiful story Mary..... Those are things that pull at the heart.... I am sure that when you remember that sweet story about a small Valentine card it makes you smile.....It was a long time ago but I think it is very fresh in your heart..........

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  19. What a wonderful memory. Boy, do I remember that Valentines box and the fear that I wouldn't get any. I have tagged you for a meme - stop by to see it - it is an easy one.

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  20. Mary-loved the Valentines Remembrance-such a touching story from your life.

    And a late Happy Birthday to Hootin Anni!

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  21. Awww Mary, such a beautiful memory you shared of that Valentine's Day long ago. I do indeed see a strong resemblance to Brandon! How very sad that he died so young...maybe that's why you and he got married when you were both just teens, God knew you would not have a long future together. You know those tiles on the walls behind him? We had the exact same tiles in our kitchen when I was growing up:-) xoxo

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