True Story of Tragedy Behind the Popular Children's Book 'Love You Forever'

It seems that everyone can relate to the touching story told in 'Love You Forever' by Robert Munsch. The book quietly climbed to the top of the list of the all-time bestselling children's books for a very good reason. The book chronicles a mother's love for her son, and it comes full-circle with a tear-jerking ending. And just in case you've managed to read this book without crying, say goodbye to your dry eyes now when you hear the true story behind Love You Forever! 

In the book, a mother repeatedly shares these words with her son over the course of his life:

"I’ll love you forever

I’ll like you for always

as long as you’re living

my baby, you’ll be"

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At the end of the book, it is the son's turn to cradle his aging mother and sing the same heartbreakingly beautiful words to her as their roles reversed and he cares for her.

Maria Shriver has shared that the book always brings her to tears. "I have yet to read this book through without crying. It says so much about the circle of life, youth, parenting, and our responsibility for our parents as we grow older. The message is so simple yet so profound. Love You Forever is a great gift for anyone with a child, or even for your own parents."

The character Joey from the hit TV show "Friends" famously read the story to Ross and Rachel's child, Emma, at her first birthday party. He brought the entire room to tears with his dramatic reading of the beloved book.

WATCH: Dramatic Reading Of 'Love You Forever' On TV Show 'Friends'

But the real story behind the book has its roots in the author's grief. Author Robert Munsch, who had briefly studied to be a Jesuit priest, suffered from depression. He has revealed that the four-line poem was a lullaby he used to sing silently to himself on repeat after a tragedy. Robert and his wife, Ann Beeler, had suffered a great loss when she gave birth to two stillborn children in a short window of time. They then learned they would never be able to conceive. Robert shared, "I had written it as a memorial for two stillborn babies we had in 1979 and 1980. The story actually started out as a song."

He would recite the poem to himself as a way to cope when he felt his grief overtaking him. Then one day it hit him that he should turn his song into one of his children's stories and share its powerful message.

While the story is very personal to the writer, he is happy that it's become so important to others and that it has touched so many hearts. It gave him a way to tell his babies in Heaven how much he loved them. And it has given so many other parents a voice to share the feelings of love they couldn't put into words for their own children.

The book is a testament to the unconditional and neverending love parents have for their children. The touching ending signifies the continued cycle of life and the loving bond between parents and children. It is also a beautiful reminder to be grateful for the love and support our parents have given us.

This Christmas season, let's all take a moment to reach out to those who matter most to you and remind them how much they mean to you!

"I’ll love you forever

I’ll like you for always

as long as you’re living

my baby you’ll be"

 WATCH: Reading of the Book - True Story Behind Love You Forever

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h/t: positiveoutlooksblog 
Book Image credit: YouTube
Photo by Wayne Evans from Pexels

Stacie is a brand manager and senior editor for several Christian sites including GodTube, GodUpdates, and the Story Behind podcast. She holds a degree in communications from Radford University in Virginia. She’s Mom to two grown kids and one cute fur-baby cat Natalee. Stacie has served on mission trips from Haiti to Vietnam and Tanzania, Africa. Stacie Marshall is also a Destination and Virginia Wedding Photographer and when she’s not finding and writing uplifting stories, you’ll likely find her dreaming of traveling the globe or at a Richmond venue photographing weddings.