The Joy of Holding Hands

My wife, Jerilyn, and I have been holding hands for many years. It began shortly after we met in 1992 and has continued, faithfully and quietly, ever since.

At that time, life had placed us both in difficult seasons. We were each going through a divorce, and I had taken up running five days a week as a way to cope. I once read that running helps with depression because “it’s hard to be depressed when you’re dog tired,” and that idea stayed with me. My doctor offered prescriptions, but I found something more healing in motion, in fresh air—and eventually, in companionship.

Before long, Jerilyn began joining me on those runs. I still remember the first time we stopped to walk and catch our breath. Without a word, she reached over and gently took my hand. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. From that moment on, whenever we walked together, we held hands.

What began as a simple expression of affection grew into something much deeper. To us, holding hands is more than a sign of love — it is a quiet promise. It says that although we are two individuals, we have chosen to walk through life as one.

Back then, we were in our fifties. Now, in our mid-eighties, we are still walking together— still holding hands. Time, of course, has brought changes. Jerilyn now lives with age-related macular degeneration, and holding hands offers her steadiness and reassurance. If she stumbles, she knows she will not fall.

But perhaps that truth was always there. Even in those early days, when life felt uncertain, that simple act carried a deeper meaning: whatever comes, I am here. You will not walk alone.

When we walk our favorite trails, people sometimes notice and offer kind words. Younger couples often say how wonderful it is that we still hold hands. Yet we also see many who walk side by side without that connection, not realizing the quiet strength and comfort found in a simple touch.

One of my goals in life has always been to let the people I love know that I love them—clearly, consistently, and without hesitation. Holding hands is just one way of doing that, along with a hug, a gentle kiss, or simply being present when needed most.

In the end, it is often the smallest gestures that carry the greatest meaning. A hand held in love can steady a step, lift a spirit, and say all the words the heart sometimes cannot. “Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey.” — Vera Nazarian