Welcome Home

Sharon returned home from Germany last evening. It is these relatively brief separations that remind me how much I appreciate our friendship. I am painfully aware that for many marriages, this kind of friendship is missing. I have known the joy of this friendship for most of our 35 years (When I introduce Sharon and I in public speaking settings I say, only half-jokingly, that we have been married 35 years, 34 of them happily.). When I have opportunity to talk with young adults about what they are looking for in a mate, I emphasize the importance of this factor. C.S. Lewis, in his book "Four Loves," talks eloquently about the importance of "side by side" love, the love that works alongside each other and enjoys the camaraderie of friendship. Oh, the joy of this friendship with Sharon, my lover and best friend.