Shortly after we started dating, Adam and I began to write regular e-mail messages to one another. Ending each with "love" quickly became repetitive to me, so I started quoting random lines from Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Eventually, Adam commented on the quotes, thinking they were all mine, so I shared the original work with him. It has remained one of our favorite poems.
Sonnet 43
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 every day'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 the 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.
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