ATLANTA — With Jimmy Carter present and looking on, his daughter Amy on Tuesday explained that, as he could not speak at the tribute service for his wife, she wanted to share "some of his words about loving and missing" his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter.
Rosalynn Carter passed away at 96 years old on Nov. 19. The tribute service Tuesday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University brought together former President Carter as well as other presidents, first ladies, dignitaries, friends and family.
Amy's brother Chip Carter was among those to speak, as well as her nephew Jason Carter.
She read from a love note Jimmy had sent Rosalynn while he was in the Navy, asking those attended: "I chose something that is hard to read without crying so be patient."
"My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad, their partnership and love story was a defining feature of her life, because he isn't able to speak to you today I am going to share some of his words about loving and missing her," Amy said. "This is from a letter he wrote 75 years ago while he was serving in the Navy."
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married 77 years, the longest presidential marriage in U.S. history. She famously rejected his first marriage proposal, as she'd promised her father on his death bed not to marry before graduating college.
But that did not deter their love story, which blossomed as they experienced the adventures together early on that Jimmy had promised her with him in the U.S. Navy. The letter, shared by Amy, reveals the devotion he had for Rosalynn.
My darling, every time I have ever been away from you I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are. While I am away I try to convince myself that you really are not, could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn't to me.
Good bye darling, until tomorrow, Jimmy.
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