I found a bizarre message in my husband Denton’s old coat that made my heart race: “This is between us. No one else knows.”

The phone number and handwriting seemed unfamiliar. I felt uneasy as my imagination raced through worst-case possibilities.

I tried to be calm and sensible, but curiosity and horror struck. Dialed the number. A calm voice replied with an address.

Next day, I drove along windy coastal roads to an exquisite beachfront home.

My anxiousness increased with each step nearer the big entryway. Would I discover a secret affair? A double life? The roaring waves mirrored my inner agony.

However, opening the doors altered everything.
Confetti exploded. The room was musical. As I saw our closest friends, relatives, and everyone we loved, laughter broke out.

Denton appeared with roses, grinning like the moment we met. He kissed my hand and whispered, “Happy 10th anniversary.”

The surprise was well-planned. Every detail—the cryptic message, the scary call, the suspense—was meant to bring me back to our love story.

Denton recreated that lovely summer at the sea when we fell in love, a remembrance of our relationship and years together.

I thought it was trickery, but it was a great love celebration.

I realized in that moment that sometimes the best secrets are the ones we keep forever.