2 Year Anniversary

In the week leading up to our second anniversary, Billy had been expressing how sad he was that he couldn't do all of the things he had planned. He knows how much I enjoy being surprised. He had spent a considerable amount of time prior to his stroke working overtime so that he could provide an enjoyable anniversary. In addition to making plans to celebrate together, he always picks a piece of jewelry from my favorite jewelry store. He was looking through the photographs in his phone and came across a screenshot that he had taken just an hour before the onset of his stroke. He had forgotten that he had been shopping for my anniversary gift. I jokingly teased him, "My gosh! The gift must have been expensive, it made you stroke out!" He just smirked, but refused to give away his plans. He told me that he wanted to surprise me. However, now that he cannot drive, he was unsure if he would be able to pull anything off. I did not care, the greatest gift was that he was at home with me and alive. I did not expect anything for our anniversary other than spending time with him. As soon as the clock struck midnight and our anniversary had officially begun, he ran upstairs and told me he would be right back. I went into the kitchen to wash a few dishes from our late night dinner together. When I turned around, he was kneeling on one knee in front of me on the kitchen floor. In his outstretched hands he held a crimson red bag with crisp snow white wrapping paper. Tears had begun to well up in his eyes, "I love you more than you could ever know. I wanted to do so many things for our anniversary. I had planned on picking up a bunch of extra hours right before I had my stroke. I wasn't able to do a lot of the things that I wanted to do, but I at least had enough money saved up to get you this." I sat down next to him on the tiled kitchen floor. I slowly lifted the paper out of the bag. Inside, was a smaller light blue bag. I then pulled out a light blue box with white satin ribbon. I couldn't believe my eyes. I slowly untied the satin ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a suede blue drawstring bag. I tipped the bag sideways and a gorgeous silver heart necklace from my favorite jewelry store fell into my hands. I promptly put in on around my neck, wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. Despite everything, he still managed to pull this off.

The night before our anniversary, Beth from the OSUNO asked us if we would be interested in shadowing the New Hire Orientation presentation at 10:30am the next day. Both Billy and I feel very strongly about the importance of the union at our workplace. When I had participated in the AFT donation of gloves, masks, and face shields; I was asked if I would be interested in helping to sign up new hires and presenting. I knew this was something that would be good for both Billy and I to participate in. I showed him the video that I had spoken in and he was so proud of me. He, too, decided that he wanted to be involved. Billy loves teaching people, especially new hires. That's why he loves being a preceptor. The feedback and success from those he has precepted reflects in the love and respect that people have for him at work. So, even though he couldn't precept, he could at least engage new hired nurses into the importance of participating in the union and supporting the empowerment of nurses. We woke up the morning of our anniversary not only excited to celebrate our marriage, but also to put on our blue scrubs and help represent the OSUNO. However, he laid there in bed and confessed to me that he was nervous. "I haven't worn my scrubs since I had my stroke. I'm not sure if I'm ready. I'm scared." He knows how scared I was to put my scrubs back on and go to work for the first time since his stroke. I couldn't begin to imagine how scared he must be at this moment. I gave him a hug and assured him that I would be by his side the entire time. He didn't have to do this alone. I told him how proud I was and how important his knowledge base and his story is to other people. "Your voice needs to be heard, you matter." 

He put on his navy blue scrubs and looked at himself in the mirror. His face looked calm, but I knew he was having mixed feelings about wearing them. "I feel like I shouldn't be wearing these, I'm not really a nurse anymore. I can't see and I can't work." I gave him a big hug, looked at him straight in the eye and told him "You, more than anyone else I know, deserves to wear these scrubs. Your stroke may have temporarily robbed you of your sight, but even despite this, you still know more about nursing than most the people I've encountered. You have a gift, you are smart, you have an incredible knowledge base of information and wisdom that needs to be shared. You are important."

We arrived at the building where the new hire orientation was taking place. He put his hand on my shoulder and I guided him across the parking lot to the building. It was a beautiful sunny day, the sun felt warm and I was thankful to have such a gorgeous day to celebrate our anniversary with. I looked over at him and I felt so proud to stand next to him, both in blue, both with wisdom and knowledge to share with the world. Together, as a couple. Together, as nurses.