To my darling Val When I first saw you looking into the pier ballroom on that September evening in 1956, I was mesmerised: I knew you were special and that I had to get to know you. When you turned and walked away, I followed, I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I had to follow you. After 20 or 30 minutes you had passed the memorial, and were waiting at the bus stop outside Moseley’s; the bus came, you got on, and so did I. Despite my shyness and natural reserve, I got on and sat next to you. It felt right, it felt so good, but I was so nervous. I had no idea what was happening. Or what would happen next. I asked you were you were going, and paid your fare We arrived at your stop, got off and held hands. I was holding your hand, and you were holding mine. It felt wonderful; I had never felt so alive. We walked past your house to Donkey Island – I had no idea where we were, and didn’t care, I was so, so happy. We talked and then we kissed: our bodies were pressed tight against each other, from lips to hips, and it was wonderful – I was experiencing feelings and emotions I had never known before, never knew existed, and never dreamt of in my wildest dreams. It was magical. I just had to be with you, and to know you. I didn’t know it then, but I was head over heels in love with you. I was yours; my life was yours, and always will be yours. We had 20 glorious months together, learning about each other, and so much in love, before I was called up, and on 12th May 1958 went into the RAF for two years National Service. It seemed so unfair, I was devastated, and so were you. I trained at The Number 1 Radio School, RAF Locking, getting home only occasionally, before being sent to Germany on 12 December 1958. I think I came home twice from Germany, before finally leaving the RAF and getting home on your birthday, 5th May 1960. We married two months later, on 2nd July 1960, and what a day it was. You were radiant, so beautiful, so excited, so happy. Ecstatic. I couldn’t believe my luck, or understand why such a special, beautiful, wonderful woman like you would want me. I was just over the moon that you did. But what were we thinking. I left the RAF with no job to go to, and no money. You had a job, and had bought all the furniture we needed for our life together while I was away – how you managed I have no idea, but you had no savings either. So, we had eight weeks to find somewhere for us to live, and for me to find a job. And somehow we managed. And so our life together began – and what a wonderful life it has been. You gave me your love, completely and unconditionally, and you lit up my world, and filled it with love and joy. You are so precious, so special, so beautiful, so wonderful. We had our bumps and stresses, as you call them, but our love overcame every one of them, becoming deeper and stronger with every challenge. My darling, thank you for my life, for loving me, for your patience and understanding, for teaching me how to love and to be loved, and for making my life so wonderful, and thank you for being you. You will live forever in my heart and in my mind, as will my memory of that night in September 1956, when we met and fell in love. I am yours forever my darling, my love for you will never fade, and I hope and pray we do meet again, as you say we will in your lovely letter. I love you, and I miss you more than words can say. Until we meet again, All my love, John xxx