After 44 years together, all I ever heard my parents do was complain about each other. They would threaten and bicker, make-up, fight over the silliest crap ever and then laugh about it less than an hour later. She was a space cadet who liked crochet and X-files re-runs; He was a John Wayne fan who could charm a Hebrew into purchasing a crucifix.

They never drank or did drugs, never hit us or abused us, but they were also never afraid to talk to us about real things, tell us we were loved, or give us hugs when we needed them. We were definitely never rich, but we have a legacy you just can't buy.

In private, individual conversations, they would always tell us sweet private memories and you could hear the love in their voices, like it was some kind of secret that they had been in love all their lives, or that we were just an extension of that love.

My father died last week and we put him to rest Saturday morning. My mother walked to him and said, "I love you, I always will."

I don't care if it takes the rest of my life--I want that kind of love.

My sincere condolences, Shayna. I can't even imagine losing a parent right now. For all it's worth, you're so lucky to have been raised in an environment of love very few people have ever been fortunate enough to be privy to. I'm even happier to know that you are in pursuit of something as noble as it is ideal. Good luck to all of us.

I have no idea where or how my parents found it, but I'm beginning to suspect I never will. I'm glad there are people out there who do find it.

My parents are the same. I think their trick was to never give up on love. :)

Oh gosh I am so sorry,