Falling for him
Here’s a sappy love story, and it’s not even Valentine’s Day.
My husband Bob and I were enjoying one of the best sandwiches we’d ever had at a little sidewalk café in Rome — freshly roasted and sliced Porchetta on homemade bread. Without warning, the sky darkened, and a deluge of rain drenched the city. It was so severe that the Arch of Constantine was struck by lightning, which was reported in their news sources the next day.
First things first, we protected the sandwiches and ran for cover. Running down the sidewalk, I kept near the building for cover, and there, on the corner, I tripped – hard and fell over a guard stone or bollard. I’m not sure what Italians call them, but in America, they’d be called a “lawsuit waiting to happen.” Our version in the USA is tall, usually waist high, and often painted a bright color for visibility. They prevent cars or chariots from crashing into buildings or pedestrian areas.
The Roman version is a low stone, the same color as the sidewalk. I went back later and took this photo.I landed hard in the middle of the wet cobblestone road, crashing on my left shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. My clothes were ripped, and I feared a tiny Fiat would squoosh me into further despair.
I began to notice these stones everywhere.
People react differently in times of shock. Many if not most, blurt out a four-letter word. “OH $*#!” they may say or think. Even the sweetest Sunday School teacher has been known to toss out something salty when frightened or stunned.
But here’s where it turns romantic. The split second I hit the ground, Bob did indeed blurt out a four-letter word. He said, “Oh, my LOVE!” — you read that right. “my love.” He then scooped me up from a deadlift and took me to the side of the street underneath the cover of a restaurant awning. “Are you hurt?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” I told him (I was). He wiped away the mud from ancient civilizations that was ground into my white shirt and said, “Then why are you crying?” “Because you said, “Oh (sniff)— my (choke)— love!” It made everything better.
I limped on through the rain to a pasta-making class, where, of course, I looked like a drowned rat, and Bob was the best student. But then again, it was difficult to knead all that dough with an injured elbow. It’s our 31st anniversary this week. The bruises are gone, and I think Bob will make homemade pasta for dinner. And “His Love” will help. She’s still falling for him after all these years.
So sweet! I think being in love gets better as the years go by!
My love was very sweet this morning when I dropped a diamond earring – he gave me on our 15th anniversary – down the drain this morning! I said a not so nice word and he said “Do you need some help?”. He then quickly and kindly removed a pipe under my sink and returned said earring, without a blink! My Superman!
Super Plumber for sure! A think a spicy word was in order. You’ve got a good husband yourself!
I have fallen three times in as many weeks and no one called me “my love”. Let me tell you, at age 83, you don’t bounce well. A very tall handsome young man helped me up at one calamity. The second one was bathing a smelly wet dog when I fell over backwards. He did climb on my prone body to lick my face so I guess that counts. The third time was a wayward lamp cord. I now have a cane which is a great weapon when trying to get through in a crowd. The
I’m so sorry you’ve fallen so much lately. Be careful! I had a little bit of a bounce due to all of the carbonara I’d been eating. Your dog is the winner for kindness. isn’t it funny how they know how to take care of us?
Oh Leslie Anne, I love/hate this story. Love you are still married to a dreamboat but hate that happened to you. My husband is an eclipse chaser, traveling all over the world to photograph them. In 2017, when the big eclipse literally went through our backyard, I tripped in a pothole and broke my arm and leg. As the ambulance loaded me up, I told John to stay and photograph the eclipse…but I wanted credit for wife of the year. He got his photos and I got emergency surgery. He will be reminded of this til the day I die!!
Now THAT’S a good story! You are definitely the Wife of the Year! I take a D3/K2 vitamin and my doctor is amazed I have such good D levels – but still, I surprised myself I didn’t end up in the hospital! Be careful out there beneath those romantic eclipse skies!
Ohh, how sweet!!! I’m sorry you fell, but wow, what a hero you married!
Yes, he’s Captain Sarcasm most of the time, but he shines in other ways as well!
I am sorry you fell, but what a wonderful story. Wishing you a very happy anniversary!
Thanks Robin. My injuries healed faster than expected. I think it was due to the loving words!