MY FUNNY VALENTINE

The one gift I have never received, but always yearned for, was a passionate love letter from the love of my life (my husband, of course). I will admit that for our 25th Anniversary, in 2002, he composed a beautiful love poem which is framed and hangs in our den. Although thoughtful and beautiful, it's not a letter that is handwritten professing the hows, the whens, the whys, and the wheres of our romance and love. This would be an object I would cherish above all else-something I could read for the rest of my life. It would be the ultimate gift. Today, I thought it fitting to compose something from my point of view that might capture a small glimpse of our almost 47 years together. Full disclosure-I am not a writer of love letters. I am a stream of consciousness ranter, so it's more of a composition that will reveal the Love story of Debie and Jud. Our eyes first locked on Locust Walk. Your eyes beckoned me. I wanted to meet you. Later, we sat on a bench and talked. Something clicked right then and there-Could it be Magic? I wanted more of you. You lived on the 5th floor and I on the 10th floor. You created some bogus excuse as to why you just happened to show up there. Laundry, I think? On our first date, I took your hand as we crossed the street to enter Winston's. For you, that moment and gesture was grand. On another date, I leaned over to the driver side of your car to unlock your door (no electric locks in the olden days!) That was another special instance in our timeline. Anyone familiar with the 1993 movie, The Bronx Tale, must remember the door test that determines if a girl is a "keeper". Chazz Palminteri explains to a young man that if a girl leans over to unlock the door for her date, she is a keeper. If she doesn't, he says to "dump her!" Mind you-that movie was made in 1993. But, I unlocked the car door in 1974. Way ahead of that movie. Driving home for Thanksgiving vacation, we stopped at The Fortune Cookie and feasted on a Chinese buffet before meeting our respective families. My very pregnant sister met you at the front door in a bright red dress and you were not deterred from the enormity of the moment! Seeing my pregnant sister and meeting my parents in one fell swoop. Not easy. Nor, was it easy meeting your parents. Cindy, your little sister, was and still is a bright moment. You graduated from Penn, summered in Europe with your buddies and I missed you terribly. Your parents took me to the airport to greet you on your return and I was so happy to be back in your arms. You started Law School and I returned to Penn. Each weekend you made the trek to Phila. and spent the weekend with me. You studied most of the weekend. But, your visit wasn't over until we watched Welcome Back Kotter with Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino (up your nose with a rubber hose). We'd kiss goodbye until the next Friday. Missing you, I decided to graduate early in December so that I could be back home nearer to you. We got engaged in front of the Plaza at the fountain. It was a romantic proposal and one of the best days of my life. You presented me with an Eagle Boy Scout ring (I still have it) to hold the place of the diamond that would be forthcoming. We celebrated with drinks at The Plaza and called our parents. Then we headed to Maxwell's Plum where we discussed plans for our future and celebrated into the evening. That restaurant would be a cherished spot where we would often take our girls throughout the years. Sadly, it's now gone. We married at MRCC a year later on June 11, 1977. The most beautiful wedding ever, in a place that holds and still creates so many dear memories for our entire family. We moved into a condo in Little Falls, and it had a painted graphic on the wall; a three foot candy jar always fully stocked; shadows on the carpet that I thought were stains, and a dancing washing machine that had us beckon the neighbors in order to help us balance its legs. On to our first home at 13 (my lucky number) Westminster Drive in Livingston. A house where we had a white (deck painted) bedroom floor, a babbling brook next to our property, and an endless number of the most disgusting spider crickets living among us. Danielle was born (1980) while we lived there, and so was Alexis (1983). They are by far our two best creations! 0H BOY OH BOY OH BOY-IT'S A GIRL! Then on to our 2nd home which was at 36 Highland Ave. in Short Hills. Many happy times through the years were celebrated here. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Thanksgivings, Jewish Holidays, New Year's Eve Parties, Barbecues, and Big Chill Weekends. It was a special home in a special town with special friends, and it was ALWAYS filled love and happiness. There was just one blip in that great house: a pee wee Herman doll that talked on its own at various times of the day or night! Twenty glorious years spent here-the girls gone off to great colleges, graduated, and ready to start their lives. So proud of them and their accomplishments. Now it's time to downsize. Moving on to 164 Dezenzo Lane in West Orange-it's been 20 years here! Can you believe it? The view never gets old here-exquisite views of Manhattan at sunrise, sunset, midday, the nighttime sky line -it's beyond beautiful. Neither of us ever get tired of looking out our windows and seeing a view that makes us so grateful. The magnificent view is a metaphor for my feelings for you. Jud, I feel that exact same way when I glance over at you-I never tire of having you so near, and I am always so grateful for any view of you. It never gets boring-you renew me each and every day. Over the years, as in all families, there has been illness, death, job changes, and difficult times. But knowing your love for me and my infinite love for you has sustained us and let us power through. Mostly though, it's been a fabulous roller coaster ride with you by my side cheering us on. Thrills and Happiness abound... There have been trips to France, Italy, Ireland, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, England, Mexico, Canada, St. Maarten, Arizona, Bermuda, Florida, California, Louisiana, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Illinois, Nevada, Michigan, Texas, Washington State, and Puerto Rico. Hopefully, we will continue to travel to many fun and interesting places where we can create new and happy memories. Anywhere I go with you by my side is a place I want to be. After knowing you for almost 50 years, having 2 fabulous daughters, 2 wonderful son-in-laws, and 5 miraculous grandchildren- all I know for sure, is that I never want this to end. I never expected to have a love so deep, a life so fulfilling, and a partner that is so kind, charming, handsome, intelligent, and giving. I hit the jackpot-I couldn't be richer. I adore you and hope we spend another 40 Valentine's Days celebrating our love. I KNOW YOUR EYES IN THE MORNIN' SUN i FEEL YOU TOUCH ME IN THE POURIN' RAIN AND THE MOMENT THAT YOU WANDER FAR FROM ME I WANNA FEEL YOU IN MY ARMS AGAIN (Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb) MY FUNNY VALENTINE SWEET COMIC VALENTINE YOU MAKE ME SMILE WITH MY HEART (Chet Baker) If you haven't told the people in your life, how much they mean to you, Tell Them. You will be giving them the most special gift they will ever receive. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! PEACE OUT-ONE B ,