English Original
At the age of 18, I married for the first time. After almost 24 years of tumultuous havoc that nearly cost me my life, that marriage ended in divorce. I swore I would never again let anyone into my life as a marriage partner; the years of abuse were too painful. For several years, that resolve was easy to keep.
Then one day at church, as I left the sanctuary, I spotted a man a head taller than most. He was bald and wore glasses. In Sunday school, he expressed his opinions freely, his eyes alight with passion. Over several weeks, I became increasingly attracted to him.
One Sunday, he followed me to my car and asked me to lunch. Before the meal was over, we both sensed something special. Less than a month later, he proposed. I accepted, though fear lingered in my heart—I was determined never to be abused again.
Three years of marriage to this wonderful man have brought me immense joy. He has showered me with love, compassion, and care, becoming my husband, lover, companion, and best friend. Through him, I have learned the difference between self-serving, abusive love and the real, self-sacrificing kind. This big, bald Texan helps me find the best in myself and loves me as I am. Sometimes, love is sweeter the second time around.
中文翻译
十八岁时，我步入了第一次婚姻。那段婚姻充满了近二十四年的动荡与伤害，几乎夺去我的生命，最终以离婚告终。我发誓再也不会让任何人以伴侣的身份进入我的生活；那些年被虐待的伤痛太深了。有好几年，守住这个决心并不难。
后来有一天在教堂，当我离开圣殿时，我注意到一个比大多数人高出一头的男人。他秃顶，戴着眼镜。在主日学校里，他自由地表达观点，眼中闪烁着热情的光芒。几周过去，我越来越被他吸引。
一个周日，他跟着我到车旁，邀请我共进午餐。午餐还没结束，我们都感觉到了彼此间特别的感情。不到一个月，他向我求婚了。我答应了，但心中充满恐惧——我下定决心绝不再受虐待。
与这位出色的男人三年的婚姻，给我带来了巨大的喜悦。他用爱、同情与关怀沐浴着我，成为了我的丈夫、爱人、伴侣和最好的朋友。通过他，我明白了自私的、虐待性的爱与真正无私的、牺牲奉献的爱之间的区别。这位高大的、秃顶的德州人让我看到了自己最好的一面，并爱着真实的我。有时，第二次的爱更甜蜜。