“Sammy, I’m in love!”

That’s what Harry told his friend after we met on August 4, 1978. I was with my family at a Lebanese convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The annual convention was held to bring Lebanese families together to celebrate our culture, traditions, and our heritage. There were always keynote speakers, dinners, tours of the city, and of course plenty of Lebanese music and dancing.

I was visiting with my sister in the large lobby of the hotel, when two guys walked over and introduced themselves. I already knew Sammy, and he introduced me to his friend, Harry, who was wearing a hat on top of his curly black hair. Harry was confident, handsome, and persistent. He was very different from the other guys at the convention, and he later told me that he did not want to give me the attention that they were giving me. He wanted to stand out, and he certainly did.

Harry and I enjoyed our time at the convention and two weeks later, we went out on our first date. He was a senior in college and was going to go back to the campus shortly after that date.

One month after meeting him, Harry told me that he was going to marry me and that I was going to have his children. I was not going to let him tell me what to do, but there was something about his confidence and his ability to set goals that intrigued me. I did not know it at the time, but Harry would become my husband a year and nine months later.

We started a long-distance relationship after he left for college. He attended Illinois State University which was about a 45-minute drive from my house, so he would come back to visit every weekend that he was available. We did not have cell phones or computers and every phone call was long-distance, which means that we were charged for each minute that we talked. There were some months where Harry’s phone bill was higher than his rent.

After Harry graduated, he attended law school in St. Louis, Missouri, which was three hours away from where I lived. This long-distance relationship was more difficult for us because not only was he further away, but he was very busy with his classes. He came to visit every other weekend and I remember how sad I was when he drove off to go back to school.

After a three-month engagement, we were married on June 15, 1980. Our family members and friends came to our wedding to support us and to celebrate with us. They held us in their hearts and prayers as we started our journey of marriage together.

Shortly after we were married, God blessed us with a pregnancy, however, I had some complications and was at risk of having a miscarriage. When it was time for Harry to go back to begin his second year of law school, I was hospitalized for dehydration and morning sickness. I was so overcome with emotion to have to kiss my husband goodbye as we once again started another long-distance relationship – Harry in St. Louis, Missouri, and me three hours away in Peoria, Illinois.

We lived in separate cities for six months because my doctor did not want me to travel. One day Harry told me that he was going to move me to St. Louis against the doctor’s orders because he wanted to make sure that he was there when our baby was born. Harry came and helped me pack and I moved to St. Louis to live with him. That was the last time that we had a long-distance relationship…until now.

Today is our 42^nd wedding anniversary and my life has drastically changed. Harry and I are once again in a long-distance relationship. It’s the hardest one yet. Harry is in Heaven, and I am on earth.  Many members of our families and friends came to my husband’s funeral. They were there to show support and love for me and my children and grandchildren. They held us in their hearts and prayers, and I will always be so grateful for their thoughtfulness and love.

I have so many questions, so many emotions, and so many hopes and dreams with Harry that will never take place. Although I will never have the chance to share my life with Harry again, I still talk to him, feel his presence in my life, and hug his pillow every night. I miss him and our life together, but our Lord knows what is best for us and it seems that the long-distance relationship is what we are supposed to have right now.

For those who knew Harry, you know that he was a great storyteller. He told stories to his clients, our children, our grandchildren, his friends, and to the jury during trials. I can’t wait to hear the story of his experience in Heaven. It will remain unwritten and unheard until we are reunited once again.

Happy 42^nd Anniversary Harry. This is not the end of our story. It may just be the beginning of another one.