40 Years of Love A Journey Through Time and Trials 

It’s 2 AM, and the world outside is still. The moonlight softly filters through the window, and the house is bathed in the calm of the night. Yet, in the stillness of this peaceful moment, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. My wife, half-awake, leans over and softly whispers, “Do you still love me?”

I can’t help but smile, though I’m still groggy from sleep. For the past 40 years, this question has become our quiet, intimate ritual — her voice breaking the silence of the night to ask me the same thing, every few months, sometimes at the most unexpected hours. And every time, despite the years that have passed and the battles we’ve fought together, I answer her with the same certainty: “Yes, I still love you.”

To many, this might seem like a strange question to ask after four decades together. After all, shouldn’t love be a given by this point? But for us, it has always been more than just a simple affirmation of feelings. It’s a reflection of our journey, our shared experiences, and the many ups and downs that have defined our lives together.

I think back to when we first met, so young and full of dreams. We were just two people from different worlds, coming together in a time when the future seemed uncertain. Our love wasn’t born from luxury or comfort, but from a shared hope and a desire to build something together. Back then, we didn’t have much — only each other and the belief that love could overcome any obstacle.

We struggled in the beginning, faced challenges that seemed insurmountable. There were days when we didn’t know how we’d make ends meet, when we sat in our small, humble home, the weight of the world pressing down on us. But through it all, we never let go of each other. We didn’t have the material things that many people took for granted, but we had something more — something that can’t be measured in possessions or wealth. We had trust, respect, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

And when the world tested us, when we were faced with financial struggles, illness, or loss, we stood by each other. There were moments when we both felt defeated, moments when the weight of our burdens threatened to crush us. But it was in those moments that we leaned on each other the most. We didn’t need grand gestures; we needed each other’s strength. Whether it was a quiet word of encouragement or a simple touch, we knew we weren’t alone.

Time has a way of changing things. The youthful energy we once had has been replaced with a deeper, more enduring connection. We’ve seen each other change, grow older, and sometimes even become people we didn’t recognize. Yet, through all the years, I’ve never stopped loving her. Love isn’t just about the person you marry; it’s about the person you become together. It’s about weathering the storms and finding joy in the simplest moments.

Now, after 40 years, the question remains: “Do you still love me?” And every time she asks, I am reminded of how far we’ve come, how much we’ve been through, and how much we still have ahead of us. Because love doesn’t end; it evolves, grows, and deepens with each passing year.

It’s not about the celebrations or the milestones. It’s not about the grand gestures or the public displays of affection. It’s about the quiet moments, the shared experiences, the little things that no one else sees. It’s about the way she still holds my hand when we walk together, how we still laugh at the same silly jokes, how we still find comfort in each other’s presence even after all these years.

In the quiet of the night, when the world around us is asleep, I know that our love is still alive, still burning brightly. It’s in the way we support each other, how we continue to build our lives together, even in the most mundane of ways. It’s in the way we’ve created a home not just with bricks and mortar, but with love, respect, and understanding.

And so, when my wife asks me at 2 AM, “Do you still love me?” I smile, pull her close, and whisper, “Always.” Because after 40 years, I’ve learned that love is not a destination — it’s a journey. A journey we’ve taken together, hand in hand, through every trial, every joy, every challenge, and every triumph.

So here’s to love — quiet, constant, and eternal. Here’s to 40 years of togetherness, and to the many more that await us.