Valentine’s Day, 2026

I do not know how many—if any—Valentine’s Days I will have left to share some sentiments; and since I am editor in chief of “You and God,” I am going to beg your pardon while I put into circulation a poem of passion (more or less) that I wrote to Ellen when we were engaged to be married, written in 1964:

“God made my soul to love your soul.

             With all my strength forever.

You are the only one I’ll love,

            To please you, I’ll endeavor.

Through life I’ll love you always, Hon;

            And you shall be my Queen.

Until our life on earth is done,

            We’ll live a happy dream.

We’ll play and work and love and toil;

            Through days and weeks and years;

Each day we live upon God’s soil,

            With Him we’ll leave our fears.

Soon we, now two, shall be made one;

            In holy matrimony; 

And, when the ceremony’s done,

            You’ll be my one and only.

Strong as the wind does twist and blow,

            Strong as the waters rush;

Strong as the heat’s hot melting glow,

            My love for you will gush.

I have abridged the above “masterpiece” of a 22 year-old young man madly in love, so that I can include a poem written in 2024 on our 59^th wedding anniversary. 

For space, it too is abridged:

“My Dear, sweet love, on this bless’t day,

            I want to pause for this to say:

You mean the world to me—and more;

            Your very being I adore.

We’ve lived and loved our lives each day,

            Both good and bad have come our way;

But through each challenge that we’ve faced,

            Our love has grown—God’s hand we’ve traced.

I used to say, “Grow old with me,

            The best I trust is yet to be.”

That quip we’re testing every way,

            As life will one day pass away.

But, yes, the best is yet to come—

            When we’ll behold God’s risen Son—

The struggle here will all be o’er;

            We’ll join His Bride on Heaven’s shore.          

Our voices then will join the choir;

            To sing His praises never tire.

Our clouded faith will then be sight,

            Where Christ alone will be the Light.

The sting of death, God says, is sin;

            But not to those above with Him.

Earth’s journey here will then be done;

            In Christ the victory will be won!

So fifty years and nine this day!

            I love you, Dear, in every way;

I thank you, Ellen, my sweet love;

            You’re truly God’s gift from above!

(Tony, August 14, 2024)

May you all have a splendid Valentine’s Day!