Your stories of love

How I met my soul mate

By Linda Feldman

More than 53 years ago, I had just graduated high school and moved to Long Island, NY. My friend and I were exploring the neighborhood and asking lots of questions. We discovered a miniature golf course under the boardwalk in a well-known tourist area in Long Beach, N.Y., and went to check it out on July 11, 1956. We carefully chose our outfits; mine was an authentic white sailor top with a navy scarf and white bell-bottom pants.

The boardwalk was crowded, but I spotted three soldiers passing my friend and me, and the middle one caught my eye, driving all thoughts of the golf course from my mind.

After they passed us, I elbowed my friend and asked her if she saw the gorgeous eyes of the middle soldier. She asked, "What soldier? What middle?" So we did an about-face and went back the way we came; sure enough, we passed the soldiers again. We were silly kids, and when my friend saw the one in the middle, she said, "If we ever meet them again, I want the one in the middle." I said, "Oh, no. I saw him first! You can have the other two."

We laughed and continued on our way to the golf course. Stopping by the railing, we tried to decide how we were going to play, our backs to the crowd.

A voice from behind us, with a thick Boston accent, asked, "Are you really in the Navy?" I didn't turn around, but I just knew this had to be my dream man.

"Yes, I'm the admiral in the Navy," I replied without looking.

"Wow, if I knew that was the admiral in the Navy, I never would have joined the Army," he said.

I finally turned around; it was him. We introduced ourselves, and the soldiers asked if we would like to play miniature golf; we said yes, of course. It was a wonderful afternoon, and I was already in love. I used to be a level-headed girl before that day. They gave us a lift back to my new home, and I introduced them to my parents. My father had to ask them politely to leave around 3 a.m. because we had taken over the living room and nobody in the house could sleep for all our chatting.

He called the next day, and we dated every night for a year before we were married. Thus began 33 years of a wonderful, happy marriage with three children and roughly 12 dogs.

I truly believe in love at first sight. My husband will forever be in my heart.

Love

By Pamela Fava

I have learned each decade of life brings new love and insight not only for oneself but life as we perceive it.

Young love has so many expectations and can fade quickly if they are not met. Love can ebb and flow with family members depending on how allowing we are of how they do life. Love can fade after a long and satisfying relationship when it is time to move on, but yet upon parting, love can resurface to send the person on with the best of intentions while the heart is still mourning.

Love is looking into the eyes of a child and feeling the pure love innocence of their essence.

Love is a friend being there in time of need.

Love is lying on the bed petting the cat listening to the purring.

Love is deciding to forgive and keep ourselves intact and open to keep on going.

Love is getting up in the morning greeting the day with aliveness to have it unfold naturally and gracefully.

Love is doing what needs taking care of with the utmost of care and attention.

Love is being in nature and feeling the warmth of the sun and gentle breeze against your body.

Just a few of the ways to embrace LOVE in one's life.

I do know that love can exist whether alone or with others, and letting love in either way is the key to happiness.