Dear Esposa,

Without delving too much into the psychology of myself: I fear. I remember in premarital counseling Ron recommending I read the book ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’. That’s certainly symptomatic of the deeper me. However, I’m realizing you help me be, little by little, be brave.

I’ve heard it said bravery isn’t not feeling fear, but rather acting even in the presence of fear. My tendency is to freeze. Yet I’m growing, however slowly. Thank you for your kind encouragement in this. Thank you for challenging me to speak up. To stand up for myself and others. To simply speak at all.

That call I made last week honestly wasn’t super easy. I know it should be, but I suppose fear played a role in me not taking action. Yet for you, I chose to. I cannot guarantee I’ll start acting all the time. In fact, I think I’ve come to use you as a crutch at times. But I’m growing in awareness. And slowly, or so slowly, learning.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for sticking by side and supporting me. Thank you for loving me as I am and for who I will be one day. Together we will look at the world around us and be brave.

Love,
John