Dear Dr. Laura: 

On Valentine's Day 1984, my future husband and I had our very first date. He picked me up and patiently drove through a blinding snowstorm to take me to a quaint little Irish pub and restaurant a few miles from my home. He courteously opened each and every door I walked through, held out my chair and graciously handed me my linen napkin before taking his seat. 

We shared a wonderful dinner, warm conversation and had just ordered a lovely Irish dessert and nightcap to round out one of the most romantic evening of my life. However, before dessert arrived, I noticed there was something distracting him over my right shoulder. His eyes keep drifting, though his conversation was still engaging. The tavern bar was just eight or so foot behind me; therefore, I concluded there was an attractive girl that was capturing his attention. For me, that was a game changer. It didn't matter how courteous and gracious he was, if he was the kind of man who had a roving eye on a first date, it would be our last. As I anxiously awaited dessert, preparing to gobble it down quickly to end our date, I decided to look over my shoulder at the woman vying for my date's attention. When I turned, I saw a sweet looking elderly man struggling to stay seated on his barstool. When I turned back to the table, my date stated he had been watching him over my shoulder, afraid he might fall from his seat. My date then asked if I would mind if we moved to the barstools next to him for our dessert. I smiled and waited as he called over the waitress and made arrangements to do so. 

We spent the balance of the evening with my date buying the gentleman coffee, listing to his story about losing his wife of 50 years to cancer, and the hole it left in his heart. Before parting, my date paid his bill, called him a cab, and offered him some warm words of advice. On the way home, he apologized for the distraction and asked if he could have the honor of a do-over the following weekend. 

Since that time, we have been blessed with 29 years of marriage in which, he has opened up countless doors, pulled out hundreds of chairs, and graciously unfolded dozens of linen napkins for me. He has also given me three wonderful sons, who have learned and lead life by his example. For that, I am truly blessed! He was, and remains, my one true Valentine! 

Michelle