LGB
Hope Valley
February 18, 1919
My dearest Elizabeth aka Mrs. Bouchard,
Do you know just how happy you have made me? I think you do because I have been walking around with a grin on my face ever since you walked down the aisle to me. Not only do I have the woman of my dreams as my wife, but I also have a son. I am so honored that both you and Jack will carry my name.
You know how much I love my little buddy. And while I say that, know that I take my responsibility as his father first, and I am his buddy when appropriate. I know that right now he will barely let me out of his sight as he needs to get comfortable with the fact that I will be truly living with you both now. I am a little concerned about leaving for a few hours today. I promised Gustave that I would drop in for a few hours. I wish now that I had made it tomorrow or the next day. I will spend some time with Jack this afternoon before we go to the Coulter's to assure him that we three have one home now. And that is the place where I will come home and where I will awake in the morning. I can't wait until I have a manager in place, as we have discussed, such that I can have my evenings free for my family. The day-to-day operation of the saloon can be done by others with some supervision on my part. Being with you two as much as I can, is what matters to me. You are all that is truly important.
Our wedding was so very special. I am glad that we opted to have an intimate ceremony in the library. It is the place that connected us and where I can always go to feel you near me when we are apart. I know Rosie was opposed at first, but once we convinced her that we truly wanted our special day there, she went all out to make it spectacular. When I saw you at the end of the red carpet that she insisted on, I could hardly breathe. You know how you dazzle me all the time, but you were just so lovely as you walked toward me with that smile of yours that grabs my heart every time.
Our brief wedding trip to Union City was everything I hoped it would be. I promise you a grander honeymoon trip this summer, but I am sure as wonderful as it will be, it won't surpass our trip to UC in my heart. I married my best friend and my soulmate, but forming the final bond in our union was everything I could have imagined and yet so much more. One heart, one soul united… I will love you all my days and beyond, my love. That is my promise to you.
There were so many moments to remember and of course, the consummation of our marriage was the most significant. But I can honestly say that the companionship, the teasing, and the laughter filled my heart and mind with such joy. Adding the sweet romance and passion was like hanging the moon in a night sky full of stars. Nothing that I have read, verse or prose, or ever heard spoken, could even touch what it felt like to be with you on our wedding night.
I am attaching a copy of my vows so that we will have them in our journal. I wish that I was a gifted or even mediocre artist so that I could sketch how you looked to me in the moonlight on our wedding night… my elven queen. Perhaps you can do a self-portrait for me. I can help you add my impression as it is etched in my mind forever.
I loved every minute of our time away but I think coming home was my favorite part… especially when I got my first official duty as pancake chef this morning. Jack knows just how to cover up any flaws in my pancakes… more syrup.
I love being your husband and Jack's father.
With all my love, I am ever yours, Lucas
Lucas' vows to Elizabeth upon the occasion of their wedding
February 14, 1919
Hope Valley
Elizabeth, I told you once that I always had faith that I would know the perfect woman for me when I met her. You were it for me from the start. I quickly realized your circumstances but as you know I am a patient man and would wait as long as I had to, to win your heart. Because you also know that I believe in having a soulmate, that one person that fulfills you. And I knew that I would give up that dream should I give up on my love for you. Plato said, "Every heart sings a song, incomplete until another heart whispers back." Thank you, my love, for completing my song… .for making my dreams come true.
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