50 years!

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments; love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no, it is an ever-fixèd mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand’ring bark
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come.
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom:
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
~ William Shakespeare
(Sonnet 116)

For many of the early years of our marriage we had this sonnet taped to our bedroom door, and over the years I’ve never found a better estimation of true love. It was printed with an old-fashioned font on paper that looked like parchment. At some point when we moved from one home to another it got lost, but I’ve never forgotten Shakespeare’s insights.

When we were young and wide-eyed, we used to wonder what it would be like to grow old together. Decades later, after heart disease and cancer entered our lives, we started wondering if we would grow old together. But somehow we made it, and now we know. ♡

(image credit: sipa at pixabay)

22 thoughts on “50 years!”

  5. That’s a beautiful sentiment in this sonnet. You have triumphed over illness and stand together 50 years later. I remember a few years ago you posted a picture of your wedding day. Happy Anniversary Barbara and Tim!

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  6. Happy Anniversary, Barbara — a true milestone (especially in these times!). I love Shakespeare’s sonnet. If I knew how to do calligraphy, I’d write a new copy out for y’all, so you could attach it to your current bedroom door!

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    1. Thank you so much, Debbie! Calligraphy, what a great suggestion, something hand-written instead of using one of the printed vintage fonts that I’ve seen online. There are so many to choose from. I love your idea! ♡

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  7. In sickness and in health your marriage has stand the test of time, Barbara. Happy Anniversary!

    And Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️

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    1. Thank you for both wishes, Teri! The older we get the more we feel that bending sickle of time. Thank goodness for love. ♡

      Reply

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