My spouse was working in the garden when I arrived home earlier than normal. I didn’t know what I was going to find out.
I had made the decision to arrive home early that day in order to make my spouse a special meal. I had planned to surprise him by decorating the table, purchasing, and choosing candles. I had no idea that a completely different surprise was in store for me.
There were sounds coming from the garden when I got home. I ignored it, assuming it was our neighbor, and got to work on the supper. After setting the table and lighting the candles, I walked upstairs to change before proceeding.
That’s when I saw my hubby through the bedroom window. In the garden, he was hunched over a hole he was excavating with an odd ferocity. Upon closer inspection, I saw that man was actually digging up something rather than gardening.
I walked down to see what he was uncovering out of curiosity. He appeared shocked and somewhat guilty when he saw me approaching, as though he hoped I wouldn’t discover what he was doing. Captured, he was forced to tell the truth.
I listened, unable to speak.
He gave me a pale-faced look before letting out a long sigh.
He then carefully removed the object he had just unearthed: an ancient, rusted metal box that was coated in soil and taped shut.
My heart was racing uncontrollably.
After a little pause, he opened it.
It contained a little leather-covered journal, letters, old photographs, and a necklace.
Since this house was originally owned by that woman’s family, my husband then admitted that these were recollections of a young love that was buried here long before he purchased it.
For years, he had kept this a secret.
He had just felt the need to change the page that day.
I was at a loss for words.
He was torn between compassion, jealousy, and an odd respect for this tale he had long kept to himself.
