The couple’s entrance into the café was like watching a ballet in slow motion. He was using a walker; she was using a cane. I would soon witness love in the details. 

After the gentleman passed through the doorway, he held it open for his lady. She gracefully shuffled through the entrance, bowing as she went as if he were a chivalrous knight returning from a victorious conquest. But I wondered how they would solve the obvious problem: the man’s walker now blocked the doorway.

His wife held the door with her free hand so her husband could clear the passageway. Then, she grasped her husband’s arm and walker simultaneously, and the two continued slowly to a table. He seated his lady and proceeded to the serving line.

“Coffee, please. Times two.”

“Yes, sir.” The cashier said. How would you like them fixed?”

“The usual.”

“With five creams an’ two sugars? An’ a sugar for your wife?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Are you havin’ egg sandwiches today?”

“Yes. We would like tom…”

“Tomatoes? Sliced thin? With a pinch of pepper on your misses’ sandwich?”

“Please.”

“Here’s your coffees. Biscuits are comin’ right up.”

The gentleman balanced the coffees on the seat of his walker. When the biscuits were done, he repeated this. He turned toward the table. I knew it would be a long journey back, and I wondered how he would manage the plethora of items balancing on his walker. Finally, I could contain my composure no longer as I watched the staff allow this.

“Excuse me,” I said to the cashier, “The gentleman needs help. Can you please send someone to carry his tray?”

“No, ma’am,” she answered.

“And may I ask why not?” I straightened my blouse tail to add punch to my words.

“He’s lovin’ the details of that walk,” the cashier said. “He doesn’t want help.”

“Are you sure?”

“Um hum. We’ve tried plenty of times before, but he says he’s serving’ his wife. I hear she turns his bed sheet down every night and puts a little green mint on the pillow for him to find. It’s a game they’ve played since their early days as a married couple.”

“Because there’s love in the details?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how long they’ve been married?”

“Those two have had a lovin’ marriage for fifty-three years.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’m sorry I bothered you about the gentleman’s tray. I apologize for my oversight.”

“Let me just say, you’re not the first person to tell us about it. At least you only tugged at your shirt tail. I thought one customer was going to punch me, he was so indignant.”

“Thanks. I’m glad they are committed to serving each other so well.”

“Quite an inspiring couple, aye?”

“They sure are.”

I removed my Bible from my purse and opened it to my daily reading. “She watches over the ways of her household (Proverbs 31:27a NKJV).” That perfectly characterized the wife I watched. She was a picture of gentleness and appreciation. 

Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

~Proverbs 31:28 NKJV

I also envied the gentleman’s pristine care for his lady. His love for her was over the top. He and his wife equally exemplified the sincere love Paul spoke of in Ephesians–a love that showed tenderness and attention to the tiniest detail. They looked for ways to serve one another.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for her.

~Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

I finished my breakfast and looked at my phone. I needed to hurry, or I’d be late for work. But I knew I had one last stop to make. I pulled into the dollar store and picked up a bag of green chocolate mints. Tonight, I would start a new tradition. My own husband would know from my attention to the details that he was loved.

How can you demonstrate your love for your spouse?

Heavenly Father, help me to honor my spouse creatively, through details that express the genuineness of my love. Thank You that You will give me ideas about how I can show them my love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Creative non-fiction

Copyright 2016: Lovin’ the Details: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved

Published: Sept 2017: Christian Broadcasting Network: Editor Beth Patch, Internet Ministries Producer

Published: Summer Edition 2017: Pentecostal Publishing House: Word Aflame: Vision Magazine: Editor Karen Myers