Henry and Martha had been married for almost 50 years, and as their anniversary approached, Henry couldn’t help but wonder if Martha had ever been unfaithful to him. With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, he finally gathered the courage to ask her.
“Martha, soon we will be married for 50 years, and there’s something I have to ask you,” Henry said. “Have you ever been unfaithful to me?”
Martha took a deep breath and replied, “Well, Henry, I have to be honest with you… Yes, I’ve been unfaithful to you three times during these 50 years, but always for a good reason.”
Henry was taken aback by his wife’s confession. The news had hurt him, but his love for Martha compelled him to listen further. “I never suspected,” he said. “Can you tell me what you mean by ‘good reasons’?”
Martha began to explain. “The first time was shortly after we were married. We were about to lose our little house because we couldn’t pay the mortgage. Remember that evening when I went to see the banker? The next day, he notified you that the loan would be extended.”
As Henry recalled the visit to the banker, a glimmer of understanding started to shine through. “I can forgive you for that,” he said. “You saved our home, but what about the second time?”
Martha continued, “Do you remember when you were so sick, and we didn’t have the money to pay for the heart surgery you needed? Well, I went to see your doctor one night, and if you recall, he did the surgery at no charge.”
Henry’s heart swelled with gratitude as he remembered the difficult times he had faced. “I recall that,” he said. “And you did it to save my life, so of course I can forgive you for that. Now, tell me about the third time.”
With a smile, Martha said, “All right. Do you remember when you ran for president of your golf club? You needed 73 more votes to win…”
Henry couldn’t believe his ears. His eyes widened, and he fainted, overwhelmed with surprise and disbelief.
Martha’s actions, driven by love and the desire to protect their home, health, and happiness, brought them through the ups and downs of their long-lasting marriage. The unexpected turn of events left Henry in awe of his wife’s dedication and resourcefulness.
Their story reminds us that forgiveness can be found even in the most unexpected places. It teaches us to appreciate the complexities of love and marriage, and the strength that can be found in the bonds we form with our partners.
