Today would have been the 36th wedding anniversary of me and Danila. But half the number of marriages in the UK now end in divorce, and we added to these statistics in the late 1990’s.
What’s important, however is the value we have brought and continue to bring to our children during and since that relationship faltered.
Tonight Danila will possibly raise a glass to me as she holidays in Italy with Edward, our younger son.
I’ll not be drinking as I have a blood test tomorrow, but tonight I’ll be Skyping Jonathan, our older son, in Manhattan when he finishes work.
The wisest man I ever knew was Danila’s father, Walter, who I asked for advice when, still married to Danila in name at least, I subsequently met Lynne, who I’m pretty sure I love deeply. He echoed Prince Charles, who famously answered “Whatever love means” when asked by a TV presenter to confirm his relationship with Diana.
It’s easy to mouth the words “I love you”, but love can only be judged by deeds. Selfless deeds in the bad times, as well as the good.
St Paul probably has the last word. He wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant.”
It’s a humbling thought for all of us as we journey through life.
Tomorrow, now I’ve found the wedding photo’s, some group shots.
