14/02/2026
What is valentine ??
A Love Story That Left Me in Awe…
He was 69, she was 71.
I came to know them when they were admitted to our hospital’s inpatient ward for treatment.
The 69-year-old husband stayed by his wife’s side, despite his own knee pain, carefully looking after her as she was being treated for hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body). They remained in the hospital for nearly a month, receiving the necessary treatments. Gradually, their conditions improved.
As a doctor, I usually consider not only my patients’ physical health but also their mental well-being. I try to understand both aspects before planning their treatment. For that, I also learn about their personal lives.
They had no financial comforts. Even at that age, he did whatever small jobs he could to make ends meet. They owned only a tiny two-room house. God had not blessed them with children. Instead of support from relatives, they had mostly faced troubles and betrayals. He cooked and fed his wife himself.
What truly amazed me was the depth of love between them at this old age.
He cared for his wife with immense affection. Every day he fed her, changed her clothes, applied oil to her hair, and fulfilled all his responsibilities without the slightest complaint. In the evenings, he would buy small snacks she liked—peanuts or sweets—for 20 or 30 rupees, and they would sit in the courtyard, chatting and eating together. Watching them filled my heart with an indescribable joy. Everyone in our hospital fondly called them “love birds.”
One day, I asked them, “What is the secret behind this deep bond between you?”
He replied, “We fell in love and married at a young age. Because of that, we lost the support of both our families. My wife came from a comfortable background, yet she held my hand and endured great hardships with me. I was short-tempered and addicted to smoking. I did not progress much in my profession. Out of frustration, I often argued with her. But she patiently guided me and helped me mature. Her love, her character, and the way she cared for me cannot be expressed in words.
Today, by God’s test, my wife has fallen ill. Until my death, I will take care of her safely.”
As he finished speaking, tears fell from her eyes onto the floor. Seeing their love, my eyes too filled with tears—tears of joy.
Later, he spoke to me alone and said, “I have only one great worry now. If death comes to me before her, who will protect her? When I think about that, I feel shattered.” I saw the silent tears of a dignified heart.
They had no wealth, no expectations, no anger toward God for not giving them children, no bitterness toward life. How many challenges must they have faced and overcome together? What else could have kept them united all these years, if not their deep love? That, I realized, is what true love means.
I had only heard such stories in movies. Seeing them made me understand that even in real life, there are people who truly value pure love. Whenever I have time, I visit their home to check on them.
In today’s world (myself included), we often think that seeking divorce over small issues is a sign of success in life—excluding cases where divorce is justified. But our elders have taught us that true success lies in living together and making it work. In reality, that is not as easy as we imagine. It requires deep faith in God. It requires patience and understanding from both partners. We must let go of the mindset of “I” and learn to live as “we.”
God does not give everything to everyone. Some are blessed with good parents. Some with loving siblings. Some with good friends. Others with a good life partner, good children, kind neighbors, or caring relatives. We must strive to fulfill our own role well. Focusing on others’ faults only robs us of our peace; it does not solve problems.
Let us sow love—so that love may find us in return.
Dr SusZie
