Wise Words to Enumerate Your Love for Your Littlest Valentine

February 13, 2009

by Amy Rees

It's so easy to lavish love on our little ones. Okay, not exactly easy at every moment of the day, but often quite a snap, and especially simple when we think about them in the calm of late evening after they are sleeping angelically in their own beds. 

So, tonight, in honor of St. Valentine and our sentimental ritual of February 14, re-consider these romantic lines from Elizabeth Barrett Browning as a description of your feelings for your child.  A parent's love is such uncomplicated romance, and we are indeed smitten with our little soon-to-be-candy-stuffed kiddos.  What could be more fun to count than ways you love your child?  Perhaps you'll even be inspired to write a sonnet or a love letter of your own!

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.

-- Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese

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