Raw and authentic, Balista’s work immortalizes his and his wife’s love story, a pure and unconditional one exploring the spectrum of emotions. Balista takes his audience through time but also transcends it, ascending into eternity—a word the couple held in the greatest reverence. Unlike many love stories, theirs was not one of rose-colored glasses. Their happily ever after was interrupted by setback after setback, which only affirmed their devotion to one another and created unshakeable, resilient individuals.

Structurally, the first two-thirds of the book sees the author describing their life journey, the path to love, and how two broken hearts seamlessly mended, seemingly at first sight. During a chance encounter following his completed deployment in Europe, the author wasted no time in asking Marie out. Utterly mesmerized by the unrivaled fusion of her delicate beauty and nurturing grace, he understood that destiny itself had sought him out. Nothing could penetrate the force field of their love. Setback after setback from Marie’s former life, be that losing her home and having to pay down a debt of her ruthless ex-husband or being unable to have a large wedding due to a trivial religious technicality, only served to strengthen their bond.

As time passes in their lives, it is clear with each action between the couple that their love remains evergreen. However, it is especially in the poetry compilation segment where the author’s unyielding love comes to the forefront. This is best evident with his use of metaphors, such as being a shelter in stormy seas or the heart being a cape to allow the author to soar and live his heaven on earth. Above all else, Balista’s ability to beautifully transpose the intensity of his feelings for Marie from his heart onto the page makes for a refreshing, soulful read.

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