Victoria had always wondered why Vincent, her loving and thoughtful husband, had been saving his broken and worn-out old shoes.

Victoria knew Vincent was sensitive and sentimental, and thought perhaps, that one day, he would have them repaired.

Yet Victoria truly loved Vincent and believed this was just one of those unique interests that husbands sometimes enjoy, after all, boys will be boys, and men are often just little boys at heart.

Yet what Victoria did not know, was that Vincent had been secretly saving, all of her broken and worn-out old shoes, which he had been quietly removing from the trash over the years, and was cleverly hiding them in her grandparent’s stately antique suitcases.

Vincent was still very much in love with Victoria, and so he awoke before sunrise to prepare their joyous 30th wedding anniversary fruit breakfast; With organic White Cherries, Cara Cara Oranges, Comice Pears, and Honey Crisp Apples, along with Vincent’s famous Cherry Lemonade, which he served in two brand new crystal glasses, purchased yesterday as Victoria’s wedding anniversary gift.

And there, in the middle of the dining table, carefully hidden underneath the very symbol of their love, the picnic blanket upon which they shared their first kiss; Was her grandfather’s antique suitcases with all their broken and worn-out old shoes as a crowning centerpiece of love.

As the morning sun peacefully streamed onto the dining room table, Victoria entered and stood motionless, with eyes as bright as the sun, completely captivated by everything she saw.

Victoria sampled everything Vincent had prepared, truly grateful for her husband’s love; Then she reached up and began pointing at what Vincent had hidden underneath the picnic blanket.

Vincent arose smiling and gently lifted their picnic blanket off his special wedding anniversary surprise, watching as her anticipation grew into tears of joy!

Before Victoria, was their old picture albums, plus one which was new, and several of her grandparent’s antique suitcases.

As Vincent respectfully opened each picture album, watching as Victoria’s lovely face began reliving each moment caught in their photos, she watched Vincent remove one pair of old shoes at a time and began telling the story of the places and memories each pair of shoes had carried them, during their journey as loving husband and wife.

Vincent spoke for 60 minutes as Victoria sat quietly in joyful happiness listening to him recount the story of their cherished memories.

Yet Vincent had one final surprise that was still under the table. Vincent reached down and pulled out her grandfather’s favorite antique suitcase, which he had labeled ‘Victoria & Vincent’s 50th Anniversary Shoes’!

the End.
~~~
© Perceptions