“There’s no such thing as romance anymore,” Laura said. She poured a sweetener packet into her tea.

           May smiled at her friend across the table. “Have I ever told you about my friends Eddie and Diane?”

           Laura scrunched her forehead. “No, I don’t think so, why?”

           May settled back against her chair. “Diane and Eddie met when they were sixteen. Eddie fell in love instantly, but it took a little longer to convince Diane. Once they started dating, they were inseparable. When Eddie proposed, everyone expected they’d be together forever, but that was before the accident.”           

          Laura stopped stirring her tea. “What happened?”

         “Diane was in a terrible car accident. It shattered her spine and damaged her internal organs. She could never walk again, and worse, could never have children. Diane was devastated. She refused to see Eddie for nearly three months.”

         “That’s terrible. What did Eddie do?”

          “He visited the hospital every day with a single zinnia from his mother’s garden and a note. Her mother saved the notes and made a bouquet of the zinnias.”

           “Why wouldn’t Diane see him?”

           “She didn’t want Eddie to give up the chance to be a father or to have a normal life with a wife who could walk.”

           “Really?” Laura asked. “Wow. You’re right, that is romantic. Terribly sad, but romantic.” She leaned back in her chair. “What made Eddie finally give up?”

           “What makes you think he gave up?” May asked.

           “You said he brought a note and a flower for three months.”

            “That’s how long it took Diane before she’d agree to see him,” May said. “By then, she was home from the hospital. The day Diane’s mother told Eddie Diane was willing to talk with him, he left the note and the zinnia in her hands and ran back home. He cut every single zinnia in his mother’s garden. His mom was furious, but Eddie raced back to Diane’s house with armfuls of zinnias. He filled her room with the colorful blooms, told her she was the only woman for him, and if she didn’t want him to waste his life, she’d better wheel herself down the aisle and marry him like she’d promised. She cried a river of tears, but finally agreed to be his wife. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house on their wedding day when Eddie lifted her out of her wheelchair and carried her in his arms for their first dance.”

          Laura dabbed at the edge of her eyes with a napkin. “I can see why.” She laid the napkin in her lap. “I’d still worry Eddie would be resentful of all he gave up. Doesn’t Diane worry he’ll leave her for a woman who can walk, who can give him children?”  

          May laughed. “Maybe she did at first. I can guarantee she’s no longer worried he’ll leave her. At least not while he’s alive.”

           “How can you be so sure?” Laura asked.

           “The only thing Eddie loves more than Diane is the Lord,” May said. “I’ve never known anyone who spent as much time reading the Bible as Eddie did. A few years ago, Eddie developed macular degeneration. He’s now completely blind. Diane sits with him every morning and for an hour, reads the Bible to him.”

           Laura’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, how sad. I guess he must have lost his job. It must be awfully difficult for them to make ends meet with his blindness and her physical disability.”

           May chuckled. “Oh, Laura, Eddie doesn’t have to work. He’s 84. He and Diane have been married 65 years. And he may be blind, but every summer, he still cuts a zinnia from his garden each day and presents it to his wife.” May patted Laura’s hand. “Romance, my friend, is alive and well, and Eddie and Diane are living proof.”

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 God, You are love. You are the creator of all love. Please help us remember Your nature when we find ourselves in situations when love may be difficult. Thank You for creating us to be in a relationship with others. Most importantly, Lord, thank You for creating us to be in a relationship with You. Help us to love others the way You love us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.