Romance lives on in loving memories

These letters are in response to an editorial by Julie Eley asking readers about the most romantic thing someone has done for them. After a random draw, Marie Mackley wins a six-month subscription to TV Guide.

I have wonderful memories of my dear husband and how loving and caring he always was since we met at a dance when we were 16. We had 61 happy years of marriage and he was always romantic and often left love notes for me on my pillow, etc. After we both retired he used to pick me a bunch of flowers from our garden, put them in a little vase above the kitchen sink and stick a love note on the vase. I still have two of those vases with the love notes on them and treasure them every day.

Marie Mackley (Christchurch)

I thought you might enjoy this not-so-romantic story. We were engaged in 1973. Walking through a supermarket, I mentioned he didn’t ever buy me anything romantic. Of course, I was thinking of flowers and chocolates. We get back to the car and he said, “I bought you something” and handed me a jar opener. I must admit we still use it. (The flowers would have died and the chocolates would have increased my waistline.)

Lois Slater (Tauranga)

On our wedding anniversary, I always received a dozen red roses which came beautifully presented via the florist from my husband with a card that simply said, “All my love, Julian”. My work colleagues were always impressed when the flowers

arrived. This went on for 44 years but, sadly, he has now passed away. The year after he had passed, on the anniversary, I was absolutely shocked when there was a knock at the door and there was the florist with a bouquet of 12 red roses for me with the usual card. I balled my eyes out and wondered who could have sent them. That evening my son rang. I told him about the flowers and asked, “You didn’t have anything to do with it did you?” His reply was, “I might have.” He thought it was something his dad would have liked him to do. His father taught him well.

Elaine S. (Nelson)

On our first Valentine’s Day before we got married, my hubby-to-be bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. However, I said to him, “Thank you for the flowers, which I love, but I have nothing to put them in”. On saying that he took me to our local town, which was Stamford at the time, and he chose a crystal vase (we had very little money in those days). We have been married 45 years, and live in New Zealand now, and every time I use the vase for flowers I am reminded of our first Valentine’s Day. Special memories to treasure.

Christine Sutton (Nelson)

The most romantic thing someone has done for me is writing a letter to me every day during my darkest time. She is still writing to me now. There’s a saying that if you date the right person, every day is Valentine’s Day. Love is every tiny little thing you did for me.

Alistair L. (Christchurch)