Peter Pearce

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Or a rose so fair, so wondrous sweet? Or even the peaceful, infinite canopy of the night sky, jeweled with stars?

Nay, for thou art far grander than these.

Thy beauty, both within and without, doth beggar all description

Full faithfully hast thou stood by me through fortune's favor and its bitterest trials,

Indeed, my very life would be an empty vessel devoid of thy presence.

Thou art my first, my last, my constant center, thou art my absolute everything.

I pledge my sacred vow to love, honor and cherish thee unto the very gates of eternity.

Thou art the dawn of my waking thoughts and final prayer before my sleep o'ertakes me.

When sorrow casts me down, the mere melody of thy voice doth lift me high and when joy abounds, thou carriest my spirit far beyond the stars.

When first our paths did cross, little dreamed I could love a mortal soul as deeply as I love thee,

yet my heart surrendered instantly.

The moment thy smile caught mine from across the crowded room, I knew the heavens had declared our bond. 

It was our immutable destiny to fall in love.

Eight and twenty years hence, my love hath only multiplied, so much so that my very soul doth melt at the gentle grace of thy touch.