It all started on March 22nd, 1993 at 8:15 in the morning in Ansonia, Connecticut. I wouldn’t know it for a couple years but in that moment, I fell in love with you, the first woman I had ever laid my eyes on. You were the most beautiful figure that had ever walked the earth and I was all hers.
Each day, each month, each year you would selflessly and without hesitation teach me everything there was about life. Make sure I was always healthy, and when I wasn’t, would be standing right next to my side rubbing my back. I remember back to Valentine’s Day two years ago, I had a date with a girl and I ended up getting extremely sick and came home with the worst flu like symptoms I’ve ever faced in my entire life. I spent that Valentine’s day night (that's weird to say) with my Day 1 love and you never left my side until I was fully healed a couple days later.
Late night talks about girls, and problems that I thought were going to be the end of me, you did an incredible job showing me that they never had as much steam as I was giving them. That this too shall pass. It always does.
From our dates in Middle school where we’d go to subway or a diner and a movie, to camping trips where I’d put the floor mat in the shower by accident and flood the entire bathroom, your love has never teetered. Oh, and how could I ever possibly forget to mention the first time I ever beat your ass in Scrabble!? I won't lie though...I honestly thought about purposely leaving out how lethal you are in checkers but even my ego can't refrain from telling everyone just how damn good you are and I thank you for never giving in and letting me win...not even once.
For the last 15 years on this day, I’d wakeup and do the same routine, *check the clock* “ugh its 9am." for Rego’s thats early. I'd hop in the shower, get dressed and then I’d get a ride to Glen Terrace. I’ll still never forget the day I heard they went out of business and my heart sank as I thought “But…that’s where I go every year for the best flowers…what am I going to do now!? I have to get her the best flowers!” as if that was the only place I could possibly go. Good thing Paradise Nursery never ever let me down with the best hanging flowers on this side of the Mississippi.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to go to Glen Terrace now, and seeing as I’m now 700+ miles away from home, Paradise Nursery is unfortunately out of range as well, but one thing that will never be out of range is my ever lasting love for you.
You are my first love, you are my truest, purest love, and if I’m ever lucky enough to find another woman to rival that love, she will never ever surpass it. Enjoy your day, you have earned it three times over.
I have loved you ever since I opened my eyes at 8:15 that morning, Mom.
-Benny
