Larry and I have walked a lot of steps during our six decades together. We hiked in the mountains, in the wilderness and the desert. We walked in three 60-mile Susan G. Komen fundraiser walks. We have walked in many states and several countries, and along the way we have occasionally been asked, “How long have you been married, and what is the key to your marriage’s longevity?”

The answer to the first part of that question (as of this writing): “61 ½ years married.”

And the key to our marriage longevity? Well, Larry has jokingly said it’s forbearance. True enough, but another factor is that we walk and talk a lot, and even more important is a commitment we made a long time ago. The description of this commitment was recently captured in a Facebook post by Etheric Echoes:

“I choose you because love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a decision, a commitment, a promise. And I promise to choose you, not just in the easy moments, but in the hard ones, too. When the weight of life presses down, when the road ahead feels uncertain, when the world tries to pull us apart, I will choose you. Again and again, without hesitation, without regret.”

Larry, I keep choosing you because of our commitment 61 years ago, but I also choose you because: where you are is my “home”, my safe place, where I am seen, heard, valued, encouraged, enjoyed and challenged.

Larry, thank you for choosing me sixty years ago and for choosing me today.

Here is my wish for you: as you walk through life, may you also find someone to choose, one who will see and value you, and provide a safe space on life’s journey.