Back in the day, romances happened via letter writing; in fact, a letter sparked one of the most famous courtships in literary history, that of Elizabeth Barrett Browning of “How do I love Thee?” fame and Robert Browning.
Last summer, I bought a vintage desk–pretty basic and relatively unassuming–but with decent lines, a solid feel, and a winning price tag. As I pulled out the drawers to prep the carcass for painting, I found this shoved inside the desk: a thin stationary pad, simply labeled: Domingo.
I opened the pad and discovered several letters from Bonnie to Domingo Mariani, obviously unsent, but letters that bespoke an affection for and interest in this guy. To understand my excitement, understand that as a young woman I had the same habit of writing ultimately unsent, letters to friends, both male and female (though I did sent most letters!). I immediately felt a kinship with Bonnie, even though now she’s probably my mom’s age and even though I’ll more than likely never meet her.
Her first letter, dated January 20, 1969, read as follows:
Dear Domingo,
Hi! How has the New Year (1969) been treating you? Great, I hope!
Did you get the card I sent you? I hope so!
I’m supposed to be taking shorthand and dictation, but I feel lazy today. I have trouble writing longhand, so I don’t know how I can write shorthand fast. Oh well!
And the second letter, dated February 3, 1969:
Dear Domingo,
Hi! What have you been up to lately? Besides art classes, guitar lessons, and work? Not much I bet!
Thank you for the Valentine. You sure do look ahead! I usually never get my Valentines mailed until about the 10th or 11th, if I’m lucky. But thanks a lot!
We had our first basketball game in our new gym on Friday. We also had a dance afterward! Really fun! We invited Cathedral fans (100 of ’em) to stay for the dance. It was really fun, but I wish you were here! We’re having our homecoming on February 14th!
The end of the year is sneaking up fast! We got our orders in for announcements and all that stuff last week. I’m beginning to think graduation is a big nuscience [nuisance]!
I guess the bell’s going to ring. We get out at 2:00 today! Teachers have some kind of meeting!
Bye!
Love,
Bonnie
It’s hard to say what happened to Domingo and Bonnie. Did they reconnect, get married, and have ten children? Or did their correspondence die a slow death after she graduated from high school? I don’t know. But I do know that discovering her unsent, affectionate letters reminded me why I love old things: they leave stories behind–stories that connect us to our collective past and to themes that never lose their relevance.
And just in case you’ve never read Ms. Barrett’s famous sonnet:
How Do I Love Thee?
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.
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Yes, I love old things.
Queen P
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