By LIL ORTEGA
Los Alamos

Frank and I met at Belen High School.  He was a senior and I was a sophomore. My older sister introduced us, and we went on our first date to “Teen Land”, a dance club in Belen. We liked each other a lot, and decided to continue dating long distance while he was away at college. Over time, our relationship developed into a deep devoted love for each other.

On April 1, 1969, Frank proposed and we married four months later. We moved to Socorro so Frank could finish his degree in Math and Computer Science at New Mexico Tech. As young newlyweds I was able to obtain a job as a secretary in the Departments of Biology and Chemistry making $400 per month. 

However, our rent was $300 a month. Needless to say we were always broke. It didn’t matter because I was with the love of my life.

Our first wedding anniversary was memorable because of its simplicity and its sweetness. I arrived home from work to a candlelight dinner of hot dogs and grape Kool-Aid. Classy fine dining, huh? However, at my place setting were Hershey’s kisses in the shape of a heart. Little did I know that this heart was just the beginning of many more to come. During the early years of our marriage, I received homemade hearts cut out of paper, tin and even aluminum foil. Frank continued to shower me with heart shaped gifts and jewelry pieces for 42 years.

December 11, 2012, the love of my life passed away from a heart attack. Needless to say, I was devastated. At the time of his passing I didn’t give much thought to the fact that I wouldn’t get any more hearts from Frank. However he still sends me heart shaped reminders of his love. I see them in clouds, on leaves, and even a heart shaped potato chip. I realize that there are many skeptics out there, but I believe in my heart of hearts that they are from Frank. I love you too huCn.