Today’s snapshots were captured over breakfast 16 years ago. It was our first winter actually living (post construction) at Rosslyn. We were head over heels in love with each other, and with Rosslyn too. Our little family of four: Susan, Griffin, Rosslyn, and me. I realize now, that we should be celebrating our much loved home on this holiday. Two dozen years I’ve celebrated Susan on Valentine’s Day, but this is the first year I’ve thought to celebrate Rosslyn. This summer will mark two decades together, we and our historic home, so it’s about time I honored our Valentine storyline!
For that’s 100% what it is. A romance. Our Rosslyn adventure has been first and foremost a love story. From from flirtation to seduction, honeymoon to head-over-heals romantic entanglement, our Valentine storyline has been the through line.
We’ve loved her deeply, passionately, sometimes even painfully. And she has loved us. From those first frivolous fantasies through the anxiety inducing heights of historic rehabilitation she challenged, nurtured, and encouraged us. From the miraculous culmination in 2009 of our rehab and the beginning of living, entertaining, and sharing our home to season after season of soothing sanctuary and hosting family and friends, Rosslyn has embraced us, our family, and our friends.
On this lovestruck holiday I rightly showcase my bride in photos and short verse.
From summer love
to love of my life.
Happy day
my love,
my wife.
(Source: My Funny Valentine)
That’s a concluding excerpt from a poem you can read in full at the source link. And here’s a tidier read, a haiku, intact, entire.
Never buttercup,
honey dumpling, sugar pie.
Ever beloved.
(Source: Valentine’s Day)
But while I rightly panegyrize Susan, I also remind myself and invite you to listen to “Lakeside Rehab”, a long song of sorts, about our Valentine storyline with Rosslyn. As I push forward with my Dear Rosslyn letters, I’m ready to probe this romantic medley further. Hold me to it…
What do you think?