Thirteen years today, and counting. The longest time with a woman, any woman. And there have been way too many of them, I hasten to add with some trepidation. Very much in love, I swear that my beloved is my last woman, too. If anything ever drives us apart, which I cannot even imagine any longer, I will choose celibacy till the end of my days. The vow is made already. And I will stick to it no matter what. Wonderful, this. Liberating. Invigorating. Enlightening. But it also adds punch to the greatest love of my life. It adds zest to it, as well. Happy thirteenth anniversary, my beloved!

Addendum (June 12, 2011)

Having put this into words, I cried and cried while my beloved was at work. Liberating. Invigorating. Enlightening. Indeed, the most wonderful vow of my life. And to my own self rather than to one of many false gods.