The Wonderful Love of My Wife!
I have regretted many things I did in my past. When much younger, I was not a good husband. It was not intentional! As I look back, I believe that I was doing my best. But getting married and having a child at 20 was not a good decision. I had to drop out of college to afford my new expenses and responsibilities. That destined me for basic labor jobs. I dug ditches for the water district at day and cleaned classrooms and toilets for the local schools at night to make ends meet. I was extremely unhappy. My wife was unhappy too. She came from a wealthy family. Our poverty was difficult for her. One day when I came home from work she and my daughter were gone.
That was very painful for me. But slowly I recovered and built a new life. I graduated from college and started my own successful business. However, my next marriage was also on the rocks. I was so focused on not being poor and focusing on building my business that I ignored building an intimate relationship with her. She also left unannounced one day with our son.
Being single again at 30, I began going to bars for the first time in my life. Another mistake. I drank heavily and gained 40 lbs. My life had gone from bad to worse. I was drinking every night to excess, taking drugs, and being immoral. I hated myself! I was ashamed of who I had become.
And then I met the woman to whom I have now been married to for 31 years and going strong. She loved me more than I had ever known. Despite all my obvious faults, she saw someone I could become. It took several years before I became sober and became a husband worthy of her. But she held on through better and worse. And we have built a wonderful life together.
One day we sold everything we had and started a charity to help US Veterans, Patriotic Hearts. (This was at the start of the Iraq War.) Since, we have helped many thousands of US veterans and their families. And along way garnered several prestigious awards from two US Presidents, Congress, and our local San Diego business community. We have also created a maintenance business for US veterans to own, US Military Maintenance, and now 135 such business are employing fellow US veterans at good wages in 39 states. In addition, we have held a dozen military job fairs, and hosted multiple 3 day, all expenses paid Military Marriage Retreats to address the extraordinary divorce rate among war veterans. And I have written a half dozen books for US veterans, businesses, believers, and for the general public. We have also pastored in churches and participated in a myriad of ministries. – None of this would have happened if Tori, my wife, had not believed in me when I did not.
Having a companion in life makes it easier. Being with someone who loves you and whom you trust gives us strength. My wife knows me better than I know myself. She is my confidant, my best friend, and my romantic lover. We are growing older together, while staying forever young!
I hope that everyone finds someone as special as my dear wife is to me!
Mark Baird
