A married couple’s definitions of love

Your column on successful marriages was beautiful, and I would like to share a comment.

Imet my bride of 42 years while stationed in Japan with the U.S. Armyand fell in love almost immediately. My future bride told me that Americans too often equate love to a burning fire. She said that the fire burns out and becomes cold ashes.

Her philosophy was that true love is like flowing water. It runs in rivulets down hillsides and joins creeks that become rivers. It gains in strength and intensity through these travels until it flows into the sea.

After 42 years of marriage to this wonderful lady, I can say that the greatest definition of love is that “love is giving what you need to get.”

It is my pleasure and distinct privilege to share these stories and philosophies.

askamy@tribune.com