In July of 1970, I was on my third date with my now husband of 44 years. I lived on a lovely island surrounded by the Detroit River. We were driving along the lazy river road when he unwrapped a piece of gum, balled up the wrapper and threw it out the window. Being a teen during the 60's I was all about love, peace and saving the environment. "I can't believe you did that!" I said, appalled by his behavior. "You know, if we start now, it will take 10 years to clean up this polluted river!" My now-husband is 6 years my senior so he was not quite in this frame of mind. He looked over at me and abruptly stopped the car in the middle the road.  Thankfully no cars were behind us. I was shocked as he leapt out and ran behind the car. I watched him rummage through the grass along the water. The next thing I knew he was at my window handing me a balled up gum wrapper. He came around, jumped in his seat, closed the door and said "You're right, I apologize." It was a defining moment. Whether he really found the original wrapper or cleverly used another didn't matter. The fact that he showed he cared about what I cared about was enough for me. 

Our daughter loves re-telling the gum wrapper story. 

Forty-four years later, I'm still not quite sure if he found the original wrapper or not. He says he did, but I always see a slight twinkle in his eye. By the way, on our fourth date he asked me to marry him. I didn't say yes, and I didn't say no, but it didn't take me long to realize he was the real deal. 

Linda  



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