"One day you will ask me which is more important, you or my life? And when I say 'my life', you might walk away not knowing that you are my life. Since we met, my life is no longer measured by the number of breaths I take and the amount of time I live. You never know, sweetheart, but the greatest love story ever told could be told by me and you. I do believe that true love touches a person but once in their existence, lasts for a life time and never lets go until we are no more. I also believe that the greatest love we feel is also the greatest hurt we are asked to endure. It is to love so much that you cannot bear to see it die; yet better to see your loved one die and be buried beneath the green sod alongside you than to to have true love die within the realms of marital recrimination and the relationship failure of divorce.
Five years ago today, me and Sheila met in Haworth for the first time and before that moment I would have never known that a person could be touched by so much happiness in one lifetime. When I met Sheila I came face to face with beauty incarnate, selflessness unadulterated and sheer goodness in pure abundance. I knew instantly that I was in the presence of someone who I was always meant to end my days with; someone whom I did not want to lose. But being a born winner, I need not have worried. Since Sheila became my sweetheart, partner and wife, contentment has always been close to hand and heaven on earth has never seemed far away. I've loved you lass every minute of the past five years since we first met. Now, get yourself dolled up 'cos I'm taking you out to our favourite eating place, Bill x" William Forde: December 15th, 2015.