I began dating my husband-to-be when I was 22 and my mother was dying of cancer. In her last weeks, she really couldn't breathe and had to go into the hospital. My dad, brothers, sister and I took shifts so she would never be alone. It was profoundly sad, and very scary. My husband-to-be, although working himself, would sit with me through my many hour shifts. He was a neighborhood boy who knew my mom, but not well.
To this day he has no trouble doing what is right and honorable when it comes to people who are suffering and perhaps difficult to be with. For years as my dad grew increasingly dependent, he served him like a son, never horrified by the indignities of old age. He is also very comfortable with my severely autistic 20-year-old nephew, who is not potty trained or verbal, but very loving.
This is not lovey dovey story in the traditional sense, but his show of love convinced me he was the one.
Rose
