How Do I Love Thee........

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

All praise to God, who blessed me with the man of my dreams, my very own Prince Charming.  I thank God for my dear, sweet, wonderful, husband.  Today we celebrate 20 years of wedded bliss  (mixed with love, tears, sorrow and joy)!  I pray the Lord gives us more and more TIME together.