Hi all,<P>Yesterday was our 16th Wedding Anniversary. If you read my post from last night you'll see how I was before the evening started.<P>Big thank yous to FHL, Sheba, Ceecee, and Tim J for responding. You helped me get through all this. Sorry I didn't get back to you last night but, when you read this you'll understand why. <BR> <BR>Well, guess what? The anniversary turned out to be pretty wonderful.<P>Husband came home from work. I was dressed and primped. I had champagne chilling in our crystal bucket. The living room lit with candles and his gift on the coffee table.<P>He opened the champagne and poured us each a glass. He made the toast "To another 16 years. Another 16 plus." He said he loved me and we kissed. Then he opened the card I got him. He said it was really nice. (I had an awful time picking out a card. Went to 4 stores. I don't give cards I don't mean or that don't fit. I finally settled on the one I gave him.) (When I used to give him cards before the affair he would often become teary eyed. That hasn't happened yet.) He opened my gift of sheep skin slippers. Said he loved them. Chastised me for buying him anything. Said I should save my money as I don't make much.<P>Then he went into our room and brought me out a card. It was a simple card. The card says on the front. <BR><B>On our Anniversary<BR>I just want to say<BR>I feel really good<BR>about us...</B><BR>On the inside it says<BR><B>...and I love you more than ever.</B><BR>here is how he signed it<BR><B>IT SAYS SO LITTLE<BR>BUT IT SAYS SO MUCH<BR>I LOVE YOU<BR>HUSBAND</B><BR>The more I read it and the more, look at it the more, I like it. (The cards he gave to other woman for no reason bother me. He has never done that with me before. So naturally if I think of that it hurts. I have given him a zillion cards. It was always something I did. I finally quit giving him cards pretty much. Special occasions I would if I could find a card that I meant. He asked me why don't you give me cards any more? I told him because he never reciprocated. The last couple of years I hardly gave him cards even on special occasions.) So the card means a lot. It may not be as romantic as I'd like. Not as mushy. Like he said though "it says so much." <P>While I was reading the card he went down stairs and brought up a bag. Pink striped. From Victoria's Secrets!!! He handed it to me and said it took a lot of balls to go in there. I was expecting to not really like what he was going to get me. Usually he doesn't do very good in this department. Not this time. He out did himself. He bought me a beautiful bra, two panties to match and a gorgeous velvet teddy. They were all way too expensive which also is a major deposit in my love bank as he is known to be very frugal because it is his nature and we struggle finically so much. He even said when he walked out of the store he couldn't believe he spent $150.00 and only had 4 tiny items. I can't begin to explain how much this means to me or says about him and trying to be a good husband. <P>Later after daughter went to bed I modeled the lingerie. I loved how it fit, I loved how it looked and I loved how it felt. Mostly though so did he. He kept saying wow. He said I looked so good. Better than he had expected. He kept posing me around and just admiring me. He said I was beautiful and looked better than the girls in the magazines and catalogs. <P>He kissed me. He kissed me deeper and more passionately than I can remember in a very long time. Years. We made love and it was wonderful. We were both blown away. <P>The OW came into my thoughts a few times and I pushed it away! We had a great evening even though it was short. I felt loved, honored and desired. I believe we are getting a second chance to build a better relationship based on not just love and attraction like when we first met but on a slowly growing friendship too. We are learning to love and respect one another. Something we weren't very good at. Now we are trying. <P>I am so proud of my husband. All of this was difficult for him to do. He did it to make me happy and to work on us. <P>When he only loves me...all will be healed. I hope that day will come. I think it will by the grace of God. All that has occurred so far has been a miracle. <P>I love him, more than ever. I am a very blessed and lucky woman. In some ways I feel like a newly wed. In the respect that we are starting from scratch in so many ways.<P><P>------------------<BR>God bless you and all of us.<P>Samantha<BR>

Hi Samantha!!<BR>I'm not one of the people you posted to, but I just HAD to say:<P>YIPEE!!! YAHOO!! You go girl!<P>Janice

Sam-<P>Oh my!! This is WONDERFUL!!!! I am so happy for you.<P>It sounds like your H made some love deposits last night. "Better than the girls in the catalog" YOW!!<P>Keep up the good work. Keep pushing thoses thoughts of OW right on out of your head.<P>I am so happy your anny turned out so well!!!<P>Cheryl

Yeah, Samantha!!!!<P> <P>I'm so happy for you both. Here's to the rest of your lives together!!<P>Lori

I'm sorry I wasn't here yesterday, but I sure am glad to be here today and to read the good news .<P>MY 16th was also this year ( but in June ) and it was also great. We'll be fine.<BR>Hugs<BR>Kat<BR>

that is such good news!<BR>i thought that his saying it was your first anniversary was just too sweet for words.<BR>good for you guys!

Wonderful!! is all I can say! I am so so happy for you!! <P>Keep up the good work. God bless you and your husband. You deserve happiness!!

Great!!!!<P>I am happy things are turning around!

Hi Sam! I am so happy for you!<P>This is our 16th year too, and I hope next September 29 is as great as your anniversary...<P>Blessings, Liz.<P>P.S. I think that fact that he braved the Vicky's Secret salespeople should get him combat pay deposits in your love bank!<BR>TeeHee.<P>------------------<BR><BR>"I have found the Pearl of Great Price"<BR>

<B>JaniceT, ceecee, lostva, Kat1, love WAS blind, Alcoholic's Wife, Faith Hope Love and POGP,</B><P>Thanks so much for sharing my happiness. It was a beautiful night. Especially considering I was so upset and worried that I thinking of leaving.<P><B>Janice T,</B> the post was to everyone and thanks for responding. Also for the cheering. <P><B>CeeCee,</B> The thoughts of her still are coming in and sometimes I can push them away and sometimes I catch myself dwelling. Your response has just made me remember to keep pushing them away. Thanks.<P><B>Lostva,</B> Thanks & yes, to the rest of our lives together. From your keyboard to God's ears.<P><B>Kat1,</B> So glad yours was good too and that you'll be fine. I'll be looking forward to wishing you the best in June 2000.<P><B>Love Was Blind,</B> Your right it was really good news. He didn't say it was our first anniversary. He hasn't really gotten to the sweet words yet, another thing that isn't his forte.' LOL Thanks <P><B>Alcoholic's wife,</B> Thank you and you deserve to be happy too. I am pulling and praying for you girl. My husband used to drink way to much. I know of some of the places you are coming from. <P><B>FHL,</B> Yes, they sure were turned around that night. Thank you for sharing the joy I had.<P><B>POGP,</B> Wow your 16th too. That is wonderful. You are right about the Victoria Secrets thing. I am sure it is one of the hardest things he has ever done from the standpoint of being unselfish and meeting my needs. <P><B>POGP and Kat1,</B> We are all in year 16...interesting. And they are in order 3 months apart. Kat1 June, POGH September, Mine in December. We'll have to be sure and celebrate each others 17 th.<P>Again thanks to all of you. This place is a God send. <P>------------------<BR>God bless you and all of us.<P>Samantha<BR>