For many of us, love is a real mystery. Indeed, this feeling, which unites us with a person, sometimes pushes us to do incredible, unimaginable and irrational things. Moreover, Jean Cocteau’s quote resonates in the minds of all of us: “It must be said that love does not exist, there is only evidence of love”.
Manifestations of love
In the animal kingdom, as with humans, proof of love is an integral part of a couple’s relationship. In fact, it is a concrete and lasting way of expressing love to the other person, because when “I love you” evaporates into thin air as quickly as it has been said, proofs of love remain. They come in the form of objects, but also in the form of moments and energy that we dedicate to the other. These signs of love, depending on the concept and personality of the person, are unique and inherent in each of us. In the same way, our way of receiving and giving is our own and cannot be compared or approximated.
Indeed, psychologist Solomon Nasielski and psychologist and author of Men from Mars, Women from Venus, John Gray agree that men and women express their love differently, which can lead to misery in a couple. While a woman will seek to offer her whole being and time, a man will offer objects and other specific gifts.
So to take care of your relationship, you need to know that some proof of love is not what you imagine it to be. Indeed, here is proof of a love that is timeless – Winston’s love!
A unique and touching proof of this husband’s love
The circle of life means that each of us has a beginning and an end. And yet it is often very difficult to let go of the people we love, and even more so if it is our husband or wife. So while it was difficult for this husband to mourn his wife, he found a unique way to honour her memory.
Janet and Winston Howes were the perfect couple that made it work. First it was love at first sight, then marriage in 1962. Finally, they settled on a beautiful farm in Gloucestershire, England, and started a family.
With a son, a lovely home and thriving land, the Howes family live a peaceful life.
However, after 30 years of marriage, Janet, who suffered from heart problems, died when she was just 50 years old. She left behind a son and a loving husband who did not know how to do without her.
Trying to heal the wounds caused by such a bereavement, Winston thought of a way to honour his wife. Even if he could not bring his wife back, he wanted it to happen.
So he started working on the property near the house, which was Janet’s favourite spot. Winston’s idea was to create a space where he and his son could be together on difficult days.
He completed his work, but it wasn’t until 17 years later that one pilot discovered Winston’s tribute. Pilot Andy Collet saw from the sky a huge heart hidden in the forest. The heart was formed by thousands of trees.
Winston explained that he created the heart by planting thousands of oaks and putting a seat inside to sit beside Janet. He added large oaks and a hedge to enhance the contours of the heart, and made the heart point in the direction of Janet’s home village of Wotton Hill. Winston also plants daffodils in the centre of the heart every year to continue to pay tribute to his wife, who must be happy to see this beautiful sight from the sky!
