“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…”

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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.

I love you, Tim.  You so understand when even though the above poem sums up my heart for you, I so often really follow after this next quote instead.  And yet you love me anyway...

“I love being married.  It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.” 

– Rita Rudner