Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NNadir

(37,955 posts)
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 07:51 PM 21 hrs ago

Well, last night my wife made the sweetest unreasonable request of me.

We were talking on the bed, and out of nowhere, she said, "Honey, can you please live at least five more years. I don't want to live without you."

I'm facing a health problem, something treatable but potentially serious, with some risk, and she said that to me, out of nowhere.

I know her 44 years, in two of which I was living the treacly lyrics of the pop song "Cherish," this while running into her with the latest in series of her boyfriends:

...You don't know how many times I've wished that I had told you
You don't know how many times I've wished that I could hold you...


...but unlike the wimp in the song, I told her and got to hold her...

...and here we are, all these years later...

...and she's so damned sweet...

I can't believe I got to live this life with her; she made it so damned wonderful.

Whenever my time comes, the last thing I'll think is how much I love her.

I'll try to honor her request, but really, I don't want to live without her, and selfishly, I'd prefer to die first.

It's not really under my control, this outcome.
32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Well, last night my wife made the sweetest unreasonable request of me. (Original Post) NNadir 21 hrs ago OP
Well....... i completely understand. ... hugs and best to you both. Srkdqltr 20 hrs ago #1
How sweet. Congratulations to you both for finding each other. LoisB 20 hrs ago #2
Heheh. The words to Cherish were added to the first love letter blm 20 hrs ago #3
You both married up. TexLaProgressive 19 hrs ago #4
That's a great line. erronis 19 hrs ago #15
We want you both to be healthy and happy Tanuki 19 hrs ago #5
What lovely words..... democrank 19 hrs ago #6
Thank you so much for donating such humanity to all of us JMCKUSICK 19 hrs ago #7
In a just world, you would die in each other's arms, passing peacefully niyad 19 hrs ago #8
From The "I Didn't Plan To Cry" Dept: This Widow Wishes You.... ColoringFool 19 hrs ago #9
That's so wonderful when you get to live Figarosmom 19 hrs ago #10
I've warned my wife that I want to go first. "If you go first, I'll have you stuffed." Intractable 19 hrs ago #11
The best reason of all! Hang in there, buddy. Ford_Prefect 19 hrs ago #12
"...and she's so damned sweet..." 3catwoman3 19 hrs ago #13
I love that song! mgardener 19 hrs ago #14
The sweetness is overwhelming on both UTUSN 18 hrs ago #16
I've told my husband that I get to go first. HeartsCanHope 18 hrs ago #17
What a Sweet Wonderful Love Story.. Cha 18 hrs ago #18
This warms my heart. LuckyCharms 18 hrs ago #19
In that state, punch away at both eyes. I won't notice. (Actually... NNadir 15 hrs ago #23
Same here. I'm in my mid 70s. multigraincracker 18 hrs ago #20
One day at a time... jlshaw47 18 hrs ago #21
Here's to the Wives we've loved for many years! Turbineguy 18 hrs ago #22
Do the best you can given your health problems malaise 6 hrs ago #24
How sweet bdamomma 6 hrs ago #25
I want to outlive my wife so I can care for her...if I can. Our 48th anniversary is in May. walkingman 6 hrs ago #26
Awe, this brought tears to my eyes. hamsterjill 5 hrs ago #27
This is what everyone wants. zanana1 5 hrs ago #28
We make the best choices we can Marthe48 5 hrs ago #29
How sweet seta1950 4 hrs ago #30
Love this! Joinfortmill 45 min ago #31
... BaronChocula 6 min ago #32

blm

(114,645 posts)
3. Heheh. The words to Cherish were added to the first love letter
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 08:26 PM
20 hrs ago

I ever received. 7th grade. You picked a good one, NNadir. ☺️

erronis

(23,772 posts)
15. That's a great line.
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:50 PM
19 hrs ago

I think all of mine were in the other direction (for all the parties.

Tanuki

(16,439 posts)
5. We want you both to be healthy and happy
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:12 PM
19 hrs ago

for many, many years to come, dear NNadir! You are a wonderful human being, scientist, and friend, and you truly make this world a better place. I am so glad you found your soul mate so many years ago. You obviously live out what it means to cherish each other.
😊🥂💐

JMCKUSICK

(5,970 posts)
7. Thank you so much for donating such humanity to all of us
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:17 PM
19 hrs ago

With this post NNadir.

It's a love story worth many more. You know you're going to outlive her. For her sake, I hope you do.
God Speed

niyad

(132,177 posts)
8. In a just world, you would die in each other's arms, passing peacefully
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:19 PM
19 hrs ago

in your sleep, in maybe 25 years or so. I wish you and your lovely wife all the best.
And thank you for that lovely tribute to her.

ColoringFool

(660 posts)
9. From The "I Didn't Plan To Cry" Dept: This Widow Wishes You....
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:20 PM
19 hrs ago

Both many more years together❣

Intractable

(2,039 posts)
11. I've warned my wife that I want to go first. "If you go first, I'll have you stuffed."
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:21 PM
19 hrs ago

I tell her all the time, "I can't live without you."

3catwoman3

(29,341 posts)
13. "...and she's so damned sweet..."
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:33 PM
19 hrs ago

You seem pretty damned sweet yourself.

What woman would not cherish knowing this is how her man feels about her. Well done, sir.

HeartsCanHope

(1,664 posts)
17. I've told my husband that I get to go first.
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 10:05 PM
18 hrs ago

I love him more than life itself, so I completely understand where your wife is coming from.

Healing vibes to you and may you both be together for many, many years to come.

Cha

(318,807 posts)
18. What a Sweet Wonderful Love Story..
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 10:08 PM
18 hrs ago

I wish you both long healthy lives, NNadir. ☮️🌻🕯️🕊️💜

LuckyCharms

(22,563 posts)
19. This warms my heart.
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 10:10 PM
18 hrs ago

And if you die before me, I'll punch YOU in the eye (an inside joke between us).

You're a good man.

NNadir

(37,955 posts)
23. In that state, punch away at both eyes. I won't notice. (Actually...
Tue Mar 24, 2026, 01:14 AM
15 hrs ago

...when I kick off, I want my wife to donate the vitreous fluid as a bioanalytical blank for eye drugs, so there won't be too much eye to punch.

In my last dying breath, I'll tell her, get that vitreous fluid out before Lucky gets here.

multigraincracker

(37,593 posts)
20. Same here. I'm in my mid 70s.
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 10:23 PM
18 hrs ago

She’s 12 years younger than me. I’m shooting for another 6 or 8. I only have one family member and he’s 5 years older. She has tons of relatives that i have adopted and they have adopted me. I married into a great family.
Can’t worry about what I can’t control. That would cause too much anxiety.
Figure I’m the luckiest person in the world. Half of it is good luck and the other half bad luck it all equals out.

walkingman

(10,801 posts)
26. I want to outlive my wife so I can care for her...if I can. Our 48th anniversary is in May.
Tue Mar 24, 2026, 10:57 AM
6 hrs ago

Not sure if I will be able to since I have already had two kinds of cancer. Ironically, she has no major health issues but has lost some mobility. The time passes so fast....☮

hamsterjill

(17,556 posts)
27. Awe, this brought tears to my eyes.
Tue Mar 24, 2026, 11:03 AM
5 hrs ago

It's people like the two of you who inspire me to know that love still exists in this world. I hope you BOTH have more years than you can count.

zanana1

(6,485 posts)
28. This is what everyone wants.
Tue Mar 24, 2026, 11:04 AM
5 hrs ago

To have a lifetime with someone. Very few of us achieve that. Congratulations.

Marthe48

(23,130 posts)
29. We make the best choices we can
Tue Mar 24, 2026, 11:34 AM
5 hrs ago

so we live long, healthy lives.

After my husband passed away, I knew I needed some long terms goals I would do my utmost to meet. I'm the only surviving grandparent and told my grandchildren right after my husband passed, that I would do my best to be here to see them graduate from high school. There was a short pause and my then 5 yr. old grand daughter said, "What about college?"

Love those kids!

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Well, last night my wife ...