Open Letter

Sweets,

I love you more than I ever knew I could love. God has given us such a beautiful marriage. We started off as such good friends, and we couldn’t help but to fall in love with each other. You are my best friend. You are my confidante. You are my lover. You are my other half. I adore you.

Every time I think of you, I am just amazed at how beautiful you are, both physically and in personality. I find it impossible to take my eyes off of you. When I can’t see you with my eyes, I do so with my heart. I love your hair and your eyes and your sweet smile as you look at me. I love your skin and the way I can hold you forever. I love the way you fit so well in my arms. I love your love for other people. I love your humor and the way I can hear your stories over and over again and still laugh as hard every time. I love your strength, and even how difficult you can be sometimes.

Remember how good we were together? We used to always say that, huh? “We’re good together, you and me.” Oh, how I love that about us. And we always say how we’re just like an old married couple – like we’ve been married 50 years. But we also always talk about how we are still in a honeymoon phase, and probably always will be. As my brother said, “It’s like they’re still dating.” Oh, Darling, I love our love.

I know I wasn’t always the best to you. And I know you say the same about yourself towards me. But we always figured things out and loved each other even more after those painful rifts.

This year, especially, was the most beautiful thing we could have ever hoped for. We had some amazing memories, doing those things that we’ve always loved doing together. And I couldn’t ask for a better last week with you than the one we had. If not for the seizures, I would have loved every minute of it. We laughed and played and talked and prayed. We went shopping and walking hand-in-hand and to a movie.

The one word that keeps coming to mind when I think of our marriage, Honey, is “beautiful.” There is no other word to describe it in my mind. I love you so much. Thank you for making my life so wonderful.

“Stay with me forever.” We were always telling each other that. I will, Sweetie. I will stay with you forever. I hope that we can have more time together on earth before we get to forever, but either way, I’ll be with you forever. Stay with me and I’ll stay with you.

Kisses,
B.

30 thoughts on “Open Letter”

  1. That is the most beautiful letter I have ever read. I am in tears for you Brad, and for Stephanie and your little ones. I will not stop praying, and I will not give up hope!!

  2. What a beautiful Love letter. I do not know you or your wife, but have read about her on face book. Heavenly Father, Please restore Stephanie to who she was prior to December 2009. There are a lot of people praying for you. God, this family needs a Miracle, Brady and Halle need a Miracle for their Mother. My heart is breaking for you, your children and your beloved wife. We will all keep praying. Love to you and your family. Cynthia Rosa

  3. What a beautiful letter. Your love is truly inspiring. I was absolutely moved while reading this. I will continue to pray for Stephanie and your family. Everytime I read this blog I can see what a beautiful marriage and family you both have; it brings me to tears each time. Hope is heavy in the air and prayer is what I will continue to do in hopes of a miracle for you both.

  4. This is, by far, the most amazing and beautiful letter I’ve ever read, Brad. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You, Stephanie, Brady, Halle, and your families are still in my prayers. God Bless you all.

  5. wow Brad. that's so beautiful. I want u to know you have been in my thoughts and prayers non-stop. I have been crying over it, wondering why this happened to her. But I have been praying hard over it and really hoping for a recovery. God bless u and your family

  6. Stephanie and your family have been on my mind all day. What a tribute this letter is. I have been praying all day like I never have before. My niece is only 1 and started having seizures in December. I continue to pray for strength for the entire family.

  7. Brad I am sitting here reading your letter to vaughn and the two of us have tears in our eyes. What a beautiful letter, and what beautiful thoughts you wrote for your beloved wife Stephanie. I have seen your smiles, and have witnessed your love, and I know Our God is a Powerful God, and he has read your letter, and i am praying so hard he will grant you that miracle that you and your children need for Stephanie to come back to you, sharing your love, laughter, and smiles. We will not stop praying for all of you and your family. Keep in mind there are alot of people out there that love you, and we are two that definitely do.

  8. That was a breathtakingly beautiful profession of the love you have for Stephanie. I know she feels the same way for you. I am continue to pray, wish and hope for a miracle to come to your family.

  9. Words.
    Cannot describe your words.
    There are no words left.
    We are all still praying.
    So hard.
    Words.
    Cannot describe how hard.

  10. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing something so personal. You all are constantly on my mind. Still praying hard for her. I won’t stop.

  11. I just learned and read about your journey. I do not know you but my heart goes out to you and your children. Your love for God is very touching, and reassuring that He is in control. I pray for God’s miracle for Stephanie and strength, peace, and God’s grace for you, your children and the rest of your family. I will keep you all in my prayers.

  12. wow Brad. that's so beautiful. I want u to know you have been in my thoughts and prayers non-stop. I have been crying over it, wondering why this happened to her. But I have been praying hard over it and really hoping for a recovery. God bless u and your family

  13. Brad and Stephanie, reading this made me cry! Not because of the situation but because of the pure love you two have for each other! That is a gift! That does not come around too often ! Whether you two are together physically or spiritually you will always have that love for eachother forever! I only wish you the best for the future . And hopefully this storm will pass, the clouds will clear and all of this will make sense! As I have said before I am continually thinking and praying for you guys! And again I am sorry that we lost touch through the years! Love you guys! Amy :)

  14. Brad, this past week with you has been an amazing journey. You have challenged all of us to look at our walk with God in wanting to have that sense of peace that He is in control. I am still praying for the miracle of a lasting life for Stephanie here on earth, but I do know that you are in her heart and she in yours, because you are both in His heart. I pray for peace for you in the days ahead.

  15. Brad,
    There were tears in my eyes as I read this and since I found out about this journey you and Stephanie are on Friday evening (10/8), I haven’t stopped thinking or praying. It has really caused me to reflect on my actions towards friends, loved ones, my husband and my little girl. Jarrod and I are praying for a miracle for your beloved wife, that the Lord would restore her fully to you and give Mommy back to Brady and Halle. I’m giving you a link that testifies to the power the Lord has to heal (missionaries who are friends of a friend who found themselves, too, in a situation that seemed impossible, but continues to glorify God…I believe our Great Physician is going to use this and can heal Stephanie in the same way He is healing Lisa- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lisacaynor
    Praying hard,
    Korie

  16. Oh Brad, our heart goes out to you at this time. We were very sorry to hear about Stephanie being in a coma, but where there’s life, there’s hope. I know it’s cliche but it’s also true. We may feel helpless, but just remember you are connected to a big powerful wonderful loving God who can and does do amazing things. I’ve just read two books recently about people in comas and am currently reading another one now. Two non-fiction of people who have recovered that I thought may be encouraging to you: “Flight To Heaven” and “The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven” which I am currently reading. The fiction one is “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks. We are praying for you and Stephanie and I am asking God to bring her back to you. Glad I found your blog!

  17. I thought I posted this last night…but maybe not…Cheezer–I’m praying for your beautiful Stephanie, as well as you and your family. Your faith astounds me, and your honesty in your letter to Stephanie made me think of one of my favorite songs. I hope you both enjoy it–it’s very special to me and I could listen to it every day and think of how much I love my husband and what I would do for him if I could. Keeping all of you close to my heart and in my prayers.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3mU6lXcaKk

    Keegie

  18. Brad – we’ve never met but I do know of you. I am a friend of Nancy’s. We used to work together. We became dear friends and shared many stories about our children. I want you to know that you all are in my prayers. I check your blog several times a day for updates. I haven’t spoke to Nancy but I’m sure she knows my thoughts are with all of you. I will continue to pray and have passed the story along to many of my friends and family who are also praying for you and your family. I know we are all heard.

  19. This is the most beautiful love letter I have ever read! I am praying for you and your family! Stephanie is blessed to have you as her husband!

  20. WOW! Stephanie was one lucky duck to of had you:) Love is not always easy but you have such special memories and you WILL be together again one day! Praying for you and your family.

  21. Wow, I know you don’t know me, well I think we met once at my sister, brother in law and nephews (Jackie, Ryan, Aiden & Dylan) party. I read this, and have been reading your whole journey since my sister told me what happened. I was shocked and in complete disbelief that something like this could happen. Reading your blog entries has had me experiencing every emotion possible, I laughed when you made a joke about things you two did or when you made comment about “not getting off the bus”, I was saddened when things didn’t turn out the way we all hoped for, and this letter just brought me to tears! This is amazing, to see how much you loved her(and I am sure it is the same feeling recipricated). I could only hope that one day myself I could feel the way you two felt for each other, your family and friends. This has definitely touched my heart in so many ways, and I know that God will help you find the strength to get through this difficult time. My prayers are with you, your children, and the rest of the family as you must begin the healing process very soon. Remember you will always have a guardian angel looking over you and your children! May you find peace in God and all the prayers from the many of us who have refused to “Get off the bus”! ((HUGS)) <3

  22. Our prayers are with you, Brad. You probably don’t know me, but I knew Stephanie when she worked at PHBC and I worked with your Mom on Women’s Ministry many years ago. We are so sorry for your loss.
    James & Sherri Stumpf

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