My dearest love, May you never doubt my love to be true. For in strife and sorrow it persists. Stronger than any emotion is my desire to be faithful, And I know your love too will last Through this life and the next, toward which ‘tis you I follow.

Daily I will follow Closely behind as you lead the way to the Source of Love. ‘Tis the lifelong journey we traverse in unison. Until the last Step, breath, and kiss, to you my heart will be true And in every facet, twill be faithful For as long as our love for Him persists.

In you, ‘tis beyond doubt’s shadow that His love persists In your very soul as you follow His steps. With singleness of heart, you are faithful. Through Him, you’ve learned to love Me as He does, and by this I know your love is true. For His love is unfailing and through eternity shall last.

In Him, we have love that does last Through time and transition. Love which persists, Outlives, and overturns anger or grief, keeping our hearts true To one another as we follow The Way to eternal Love, Which we shall attain if our hearts are faithful.

Truly times shall come when to be faithful Loses joy, but the pain is fleeting. It does not last. For it is Love That remains when sorrow is passed. It persists In the hearts of those who follow Love’s precepts and to them remain true.

So, to each other let us be true In heart and ever faithful In deed. We shall follow The path by which love does last, Ever looking to He who persists And is Himself Love.

My dearest husband ‘tis you I shall follow and to you shall I be true. For you lead me to Love, and to Him you remain faithful. In Him, our love shan’t cease to last. Onward to eternity, our love persists.

I wrote this poem to Carl last year. We were going through a very trying season at the time as newly weds learning how to live and make hard choices together. I was sitting in the living room working on a poetry assignment for a writing class while simultaneously thinking about the stress we were under. These are the words that came to mind. It was in that moment while writing these words that I realized what true love is and what a truly loving husband I have. He loves God most, which means he can love me best. I strive daily to do the same for him.

Real love isn’t two people with fond feelings who always need/want the same things. It isn’t finding someone you never have to give up anything for. True love is two people loving God most so that they can love each other best and lead each other closer to Him. True love is seeking God’s glory in your connection to another soul.

1. Love is God Himself. (1 John 4:7-8)

2. Love is sacrifice. (John 3:16)

3. Love is unselfish. (Phil. 2:5-8)

4. Love is leading your partner closer to God. (1 Pet. 3:1-7)

5. Love is unconditional. (Rom. 5:8)

6. Love is action. (John 14:15)

7. Love demands my all. (1 Cor. 13:1-7)