Dear Future Wife

Dear future wife,

I think of you often.
You inspire me to become the man I’m meant to be.

Sometimes I try to find you,
But maybe I wouldn’t recognize you now—
Not until I fully see myself.
I’m getting there.

I work on myself every day.
I reflect on why my first marriage ended after 22 good years.
I stopped listening. I stopped validating.
I thought we were fine, but I wasn’t fully attuned.
Please know—I fought for her.
But I had to lose her to find myself.

And now, I’m working to be ready for you.

I know you are brilliant,
And I look forward to deep conversations,
Where ideas stretch us and questions linger.
I am sharpening my mind for these moments.

I know you are compassionate and kind—
The kind of woman whose presence softens a room.
I’m becoming a better listener,
The kind of man that a woman like you deserves.

I know you’re a feminist—
Strong, independent, and beautifully yourself.
I admire that and am learning to let you be you.

I know you love to laugh, to be playful,
To get a little ridiculous sometimes.
I can’t wait to be silly with you—
To dance in the kitchen or wrestle on the beach.
I am learning to let me be me,
So we can let our guard down and be silly together.

I know you are beautiful,
Though I’ll see it more easily than you do.
And I’ll remind you often,
Not just with words, but with how I look at you.

I know you long to travel—
To wander trails, chase sunsets, and discover something new.
I am immersing myself in nature and learning to enjoy it more.

I know all these things about you
Because I’m starting to see what makes my heart sing
And I won’t settle for anything less.

But honestly—
I don’t know you half as well as I’d like.
I long to learn you slowly, fully, joyfully.
In the meantime, I’ll keep learning myself.

And when we’re both ready,
We’ll find each other.