First Anniversary Gift Painting

by Tom
(Phoenix, AZ, USA)

I met my wife in one of my music classes when I was living in Arizona and pursuing my Masters Degree. I saw and noticed her, as she was one of the most beautiful and talented students of our class.

She was an excellent artist. She could paint or sketch the likeness of almost anything.

We married and started our life together in Arizona. However, our happiness was incomplete: she was unable to bear children. She became sad, then depressed, even a little paranoid.

As she lost her zeal to live, my own life became disturbing. My wife could hardly remember my name. She would very often forget to take care of herself.

Exactly five years later I saw a new painting of a child in our bedroom. I noticed the signature of my wife at the end. I did not attach any importance to it, and ignored it. Next I noticed another painting, this one of me and her together, holding hands and smiling.

I looked out the bedroom door and saw my wife standing outside the room. She appeared to be a completely new avatar, one of her old, real self!

That painting, of the two of us as a couple, was my first ever anniversary gift, and I thanked her for bringing herself back into our lives. We celebrated by talking to each other the whole day. That day became the new beginning of our married life.

We decided to adopt a child, and exactly one year later on our sixth wedding anniversary we started our family life with a new member.

I thank God for bringing joy back into our lives. My wife's couple-painting remains the best anniversary gift I will ever receive.