Mike knew I loved fresh flowers. And he brought me flowers for every occasion: my birthday, our anniversary, Mother’s Day, and every holiday. But the most precious and meaningful ones were brought home to me “just because.”

“I love you, I’m thinking of you, it’s the 1st day of spring, looking forward to our weekend, I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, bringing you some sunshine on this rainy day, I miss our snuggles, I’m sorry I hurt you, I miss you when we are apart, please come home safely to me, hope these brighten your day, forgive me, missed our phone chat today, let’s save some time for us this weekend” … and so many others that I can’t remember.

I have the very first card that came with a dozen red roses when we were dating six months until the last one he gave me on our 48th wedding anniversary on 8/5/2020. I never thought Mike would be gone in three months. I don’t know what inspired me to save these little cards over the years. When I counted them after he died there were over 440 of them. His love for me written down in 15-20 words or less “just because” and most of them signed with his signature sign-off: “Love always, Your Michael.”

My Michael, I’ll love you forever in my heart. We have lived out our vows to each other. Thank you for asking me to share this journey through life with you,
Your Gracie