I was recently scanning old letters into Evernote in an effort to preserve them in digital format. I came across one from the early 90’s that brought back a flood of emotion as I read it. My boyfriend at the time had made me a mix tape and included the note with it. The mix tape is long gone – how I wish it wasn’t! But, he outlined the three most important songs on the tape.
I’m going to share them with you – but mind you – it was a love letter from my early 20’s so for those who don’t the the mushy-gushy – you may want to stop reading now.
First Song: I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman
This was “our song” all the way through college, so it was a natural first pick.
He wrote:
“I want you to always remember that no matter what I will be there for you; no matter whether you nee someone to laugh with you, cry with you, or just be beside you to help you through the hard times, I want to be that someone. I love you and want to be part of not only the happy times, but also the sad times; not only the easy times, but also the hard ones.”
The Second Song: I Just Never Say it Enough by Wayne Watson
He wrote:
“Sometimes I am afraid that if I say it too much, it will lose its meaning, but want you to remember that no matter what I will always love you, and you will always have a part of my heart.”
The Last Song: True Friend by Twila Paris
He wrote:
“I really appreciate your honesty even if it does hurt sometimes, because it is for the good of the relationship. I love you and I really want this relationsip to work. The only way that is going to happen is for both of us to be honest and open with each other. Thank you so much for being a true friend!!”
P.S. I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!!!
P.S.S. Remember that God is always with you, and no matter what you may go through, and no matter how many people seem to be against you, you and God together make a majority. He will never fail you even though everyone else will.
Tears stream down my face as I relive those moments. Because, that boyfriend is now my husband of 22 years. I reflect back at the words from I Will Be Here:
I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me
And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I… I will be here
We’ll be together
I will be here
Every word is true. My husband has been true and faithful. The mirror is now telling us we are older – and he is still here. As a 20-something I didn’t know if there were men like that – my heart swells with gratitude that I know know there are.
As I listened to I Just Never Say it Enough My heart skipped a beat a I haven’t heard that song in decades, and the memories flooded back. I remember when he spent Christmas break on another continent and I laid in bed listening to that song over and over and staring at his picture. (I warned you it was going to get mushy)
Honestly, I totally forgot about True Friend until I just listened to it now.
You are a true friend pointing me to Him
Lifting my downcast eyes
Turning my wondering gaze to the sky
Proving your love again, you are a true friend
You are a true friend, you are a true friend
I am a better person for having spent the better part of my life with my husband. Looking back over the past two decades, I’m glad I had a true friend to walk through both the good and the bad times. And most of all – I’m glad God has has always been with us.