To the young folks,
People say that it's the personality that counts, that it doesn't matter what's on the outside if the inside is pure and beautiful. More than half of those people, although they say it a million times in their lives, and preach it to their friends when they're feeling self conscious about themselves, they don't actually believe it. We don't have one of those days where we're sitting down, thinking about our life and saying, "I'm going to fall for the ugliest person in the world, and I'll be okay with it, because their personality is just supreme!" We all pretty much do it. Without even realizing it, we self consciously look at the cutest people around and pray that they notice us. We imagine ourselves falling for someone attractive, and that isn't our fault.
He was funny. He was hilariously funny, but I was secretly checking out his best friend. Although his wit was great and he was a really cool guy, I didn't find myself attracted to him. And then boom. Here he was, and there I was, and he was always so nice to me, so before I realized it, I was caught in his web and I was okay with it. His best friend became irrelevant and I was constantly daydreaming about when I would get to see him again. He had suddenly become beautiful to me and I went through lengths to be able to talk to him just for a little bit longer.
I was a decently looking girl. I always managed to catch a few guys who I had thought were out of my league, but none of those relationships felt like what I had with this boy, and all we were at the moment were friends! We hadn't kissed or anything, just talked, yet I felt like I would go to the ends of the Earth for him, if they existed. I would battle a dragon for him, if those existed. He made me feel like I was on top of the world, and that I was special.
The funny thing was, he wasn't even my type. He was the exact opposite of my type, physically. Like I said, every person imagines being with someone physically attractive for the rest of their life, but you don't really need that. I was one of those people. I thought I believed in the saying, "It's the inside that counts," but then I would go back to thinking about the most attractive guy I saw. Guys that weren't my type didn't even get close to my radar. Now I see though. How else would I have been able to give this guy more than a chance? I would have given him a hundred million chances if he would have asked for them. Every time I looked at him, I didn't see what he looked on the outside anymore. His personality radiated out of him and I couldn't stop myself from smiling ridiculously every time I thought of him.
Now as I lay here, old and frail, I write to the younger generation my experiences so they know to give someone a chance. That person you just turned down may have been the love of your life if you would have given them an opportunity. I gave him an opportunity and it was the best decision of my life. We were married for fifty three years before he passed away, may he rest in peace, but I wouldn't trade those fifty three years for the world. He graced me with two daughters and one son that I will love for all of eternity. When you find someone who will support you and make you feel special, you better hold onto them no matter how damn ugly they are or how bad their last name is, because my husband was damn ugly and his last name was excruciatingly painful to look at, but he became a damn sexy fellow pretty quick! I wish I could say the same for his last name... And don't gasp at my language. I am a seventy five year old woman with three children and seven grandchildren. I've lived life! Now I want you to live yours.
Mrs. Pam Hiideeus
