E M B
Hope Valley
February 23, 1919
My Lucas,
This week has truly been all that I dreamed of. To be a mother has given me joy, but to be your wife makes me whole. This is what I missed without really realizing it. To wake in the loving safety of my husband's arms and share in the intimacy of our little family each morning…. all I can say is that I feel truly blessed and I will never take this wonderful gift for granted.
What does come as a bit of a surprise is how the most menial chore feels when I get to do it with you. I find grocery shopping a fun activity when we can plan on what we might want to prepare, even oatmeal sounds perfect to me.
Not so surprising is that I have to admit to feeling a little twinge of jealousy when I leave in the morning. As a single mother, I have always had to work; as teaching is my passion, I am not complaining but I did feel a twinge or two when I left the two of you to spend the morning together. But having said that, I would not change it. Knowing that Jack now has a father to love him and give him so much more in his young life, makes me so very happy. I am lucky to have found a man who will support me in my work, whether teaching or writing. I hope that we will be blessed with a growing family, and I know I have the perfect father and husband to make a happy home with.
I know that I have told you that gestures to show me that you love me don't always have to be grand, but don't ever think that it means I don't appreciate them. Our first-week anniversary date was so wonderful. You always think of everything and the fact that you are expanding your support at the Queen makes me know just how much you are willing to do to have the best of both worlds. You are truly a remarkable man.
Getting ready for our date with Rosemary was a blessing. I am not always very enthusiastic when she insists on 'over the top', but in the end, it is always special. I know that you wouldn't care if I showed up in my everyday attire, but it makes me feel giddy when I see how much you appreciate the results of the extra effort. You make me feel beautiful and wanted and so very special; I feel like you appreciate the effort as much or more than the results. When I walk out on your arm, I truly feel like I am the Queen to your King of Hearts.
The night was perfect with Gustave preparing another sumptuous meal and with Emma attending to all the little details. It was so nice just to sit and chat and see your eyes light up when recounting some of your adventures with Jack and to have you listen attentively to my dreams for my students. Your friendship is the first blessing of our relationship and I always feel that you appreciate that too. And that you can take me from a happy chat and in one moment twirl me into a seductive dance is your special gift. I loved every moment of the night and nothing better than being in your arms with the glow from the star-filled night. And waking to the dawn with sunlight streaming in and your hair in that tousled mess that I love so. And that first smile on your face before you open your eyes. Your dimples are your first greeting to me. I love you Lucas, everything about you.
And once again, how you can spin me back up into the day and make it seem like it is going to be wonderful, it is all part of your gift. A leisurely bath, and then breakfast with our son and the sister and brother of my heart, how truly wonderful the start to our weekend together. Jack and I both thank you for the afternoon ride yesterday, spring is quickly approaching, and it was fun to see some of the first evidence as we took our walk in the glen. Jack is so excited that he may soon see a baby deer so thank you for promising a return trip soon. And yesterday was the Sunday I will always treasure from my childhood. A late breakfast followed by church services together and a chance to meet our friends in the community afterward ….. I know that you weren't a dedicated churchgoer when you were single, so it means a lot to me that you share this time with us. I know that that is what is important to you, but I have noticed that over these past months you seem to enjoy Joseph's message as well. And then it felt good to have invited guests for Sunday dinner. Rosie and Lee are like family, so it felt just like a family meal as I remember them. We did ourselves proud with the roasted chicken, herbed potatoes, carrots, and the wonderful salad Gustave suggested. You showed some finesse with the salad preparation, and I am so glad to find that you have become a handy peeler of vegetables. And with you to manage Jack getting up from his nap and getting him going again, having company over for dinner was a breeze. And perhaps it is from hosting guests at the Queen, that you always seem to know when to seamlessly step into whatever the situation suggests.
I guess I will end with… it was the perfect first week of our marriage.
Yours forever,
Elizabeth