Mr Dearling
If ever two were one, then surely we.If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
The while we live, in love let's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
Anne Dudley Bradstreet, 1612-1672
I give this poem to Mr Dearling every year, because it says what I want to but haven't the poet's tongue; when I get to heaven I'm going to seek out Mrs Bradstreet FIRST, to offer my heartfelt gratitude. (If you're not familiar with her, go to the library).
This is ourselves as "Mr and Mrs Fairchild, first Mayor of Madison and Wife, 1857" and the pictures were taken in our lovely Arboretum, which, if you come to visit (like in April to see the Yarn Harlot) I will personally show you around! I LOVE the Arboretum - as much as I love Mr Dearling only, you know, in a sort of geographic sort of way. Just sayin'.
Not a historically-accurate picture, 1857-ly speaking.HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
