A True Love Story...

[losttroy]

I was surfing the internet today, feeling kind of down because I am missing my sweetie and I stumbled upon some old American Civil War documents. I am a graphics designer by trade, and I find such antiquated history quite beautiful. What is even more beautiful however is subject of one particular piece I found.

This, a letter, was written on a Civil War battlefield in 1863 by a U.S. Union soldier named Harvey Black. It was addressed to his wife, Mollie. This is it:

Brandy Station,

Sunday night, Nov. 1 [1863]


My dear Mollie
I rcd a letter today from a very handsome lady to play cupid. Although not accompanied by her likeness yet her image was so indelibly impressed upon my mind that the likeness itself could not recall the features more vividly than they are impressed. I first met her in a village in Western Va when I was about 17 years old and she 8. I afterwards saw her frequently and occasionally was in her company, and nonwithstanding the disparity of our ages, I became so favorably impressed with her fair face and gentle manners that I frequently said to myself that I wished she was older or I younger.

In 3 to 4 years she had grown so much that the disparity in age seemed to grow less. Never did a lady witness the budding of a flower with more requisite pleasure than did I the budding of that pretty little girl into womanhood. She made much of my thoughts while in Mexico and more upon my return home. While at the University of Va., I not infrequently found my thoughts wandering from the dry textbook to contemplate by the aid of memory the features and form of this little girl.

After I completed my studies, I traveled in the west and expected to find a home in some western state, but not finding a place to suit me, together with the persuasions of that fair face, induced me to return.

I entered, as you know, actively into the pursuit of my profession with the determination to make at least a fair reputation and tried to withdraw my thought from everything else, but I found this little fairy constantly and pleasantly intruding into all my plans, whether of pleasure or interest. At this period she met me politely and respectfully but seemed to grow more distant, coy & reserved, so that I frequently thought that even the ordinary attentions of common politeness & courtesy were no special source of pleasure to her.

In a few instances when she has arrived at about the age of 15 this shyness and reserve seemed to be forgotten, and I would pass an hour or two in the enjoyment of her company with great pleasure to myself and I imagined with at least satisfaction, if not enjoyment, to her. I began to think that my happiness was identified with hers. I began to pay her special visits or at least seek opportunities by which I might be in her company. I sought her society on pleasure rides and thought it not a hardship to ride 65 miles in 24 hours if part of the time might be spent with her. She always exhibited or observed the decorum of modest reserve which might be construed into neither encouragement nor discouragement.

After the delibertation & reflection which I thought due to a matter which involved my happiness for life, I felt that her destiny and mine were probably intended to be united, and that all the adverse counsel which I could give myself could bring no objections. I felt that I ought both as a matter of duty and happiness give my whole life to her, who for 9 years had my attention and devotion, though concealed love.

After a few little billets and interviews, and with a full declaration of the love I desired to bestow, I received a measured and loving response and was made most happy in the anticipation of the celebration of the nuptials fixed at some 6 months hence. This time glided nicely & happily, though not too rapidly, away from me. The hours of leisure were spent with her and my visits were always welcomed with that cordial welcome, that maiden modesty, so much to be admired. Tis true that on one occasion she did rest her elbow upon my knee and look with confidential pleasure in my face and made me realize that indeed I had her whole heart.

Suffice it to say, the happy day of our marriage arrived and since then, hours, days, and years of time, confidence & happiness passed rapidly away, and only to make us feel that happy as were the hours of youthful days, they compare not with those of later years and perhaps even these may not be equal to that which is in reserve for us.

I dont know how much pleasure it affords you to go over these days of the past, but to me they will ever be remembered as days of felicity. And how happy the thought that years increase the affection & esteem we have for each other to love & be loved. May it ever be so, and may I ever be a husband worthy of your warmest affections. May I make you happy and in so doing be made happy in return. A sweet kiss and embrace to your greeting.

But maybe you will say it looks ridiculous to see a man getting grayhaired to be writing love letters, so I will use the remnant of my paper otherwise...


Yours affectionately H Black

Isn't this extraordinary?? I guess I am just a romantic fool, but it enriches me to know other people have love in their hearts like this. This extremely moving letter, too, is by far the greatest representation of what the people of that time must have gone through; a deep commitment to each other, matched with the strength of their resolve to make it through the toughest of times. You know, this is the EXACTLY the kind of love we should all strive to have in our lives. Relationships are never going to be perfect. There will be tough times, sometimes. But love sees you through them. Always.

Just thought I would share.::

Do you have a great and wonderful love story??


PS: I just wanted to send out one of those famous rooftop screams to my precious Las, wherever in the building she is right now: I LOOOOVEE YOU!!!!!!!

 

[LockieKermit]

Thats a wonderful story. I'm 15 so doubt I have experience true love I can only imagine the amazing feeling it gives you

 

[no1]

I dont get it. They are divorced so he has to send a letter. That means the marriage was cut.

So the guy's just an "old obsessed creep" who just knows how to write good and make his story look fancy. Except for that abrupt ending.

IMO the guy seems to be the only one trying to make it work in that relationship. The woman seems to be "meh..." Perhaps unconsciously just floating along wherever life takes her.

 

[Kat]

Don’t want to sound sappy but Aw,

Heart melts!

I Love you!!!!!!!

I dont get it. They are divorced so he has to send a letter. That means the marriage was cut.

So the guy's just an "old obsessed creep" who just knows how to write good and make his story look fancy. Except for that abrupt ending.

IMO the guy seems to be the only one trying to make it work in that relationship. The woman seems to be "meh..." Perhaps unconsciously just floating along wherever life takes her.

Well, I think the point of the letter was his love was strong enough for her that it stood the test of time. The attitude where it seemed she was meh about the relationship was her lack of maturity. They weren’t divorced the letter was written from a reminiscent view point.

 

[EgoZero]

Beautiful and sad at the same time. Sad, cause I'll never ever experience something like that. Anyways I think just out of this letter could be made a nice movie.

 

[losttroy]

Anyways I think just out of this letter could be made a nice movie.

Indeed! I am already brainstorming the script!! I know a guy in Cali who can put it together for me as well.

They are divorced so he has to send a letter.

Huh? Where did you get they are divorced? He is away at war, in the Civil War, and he's written a letter detailing their life together thus far. I think you believe that because it is written kind of in a nostalgic perspective, as if he were remembering the past. He IS doing that, but its to chronicle the events to Mollie on how wonderful their "Days of Felicity" have been. That's going to be the title of the movie by the way!!

I wish you would explain where you come to the divorce conclusion, because I feel like a moron who can't read.::

 

[Pookah]

Now that is the expression of feeling you don't see at all often these days. I think that is why I so prefer the past in fiction and such. Courtly love is delicious. I wish we could still have some of that.

 

[elek2ronik]

probably fake

 

[Pookah]

probably fake

That's how people were in that time....

 

[BlueDays]

Wow, that just blows me away...I have come across similar letters written to wives from soldiers fighting in various wars in history. I think this is one of the best I've read.
His devotion to his wife is incredible. To write a love letter like that when he is obiviously middle aged (he mentions greying hair), so obiviously still in love, after all that time!

 

[losttroy]

Glad someone pointed that out also!! Yes, as many positive connotations this document contains, it is also a wonderful testament that true love is literally the love of a lifetime!!

Do any of you have a great love story you wanna share?

 

[Kat]

I would have thought this was sweet had he not been writing about falling in love with an eight year old girl. I mean, I understand that a nine year difference between a fifteen year old girl and a twenty four year old may not have been significant at the time, but any guy who talks about an eight year old's form is pretty ****ing creepy. Has anyone else gotten the impression that he's a weirdo?

I see what you mean but you can’t argue with results, he didn’t peruse her at that age. I guess some people know they’re meant to be regardless of circumstance.

I definitely would’ve thought it was creepy and perverted if he acted on his thoughts when she was only 8.

I wouldn’t agree with it in all cases but going by this letter since he spent his life with her it really was true love not perversion. Like, I said earlier some things are questionable that goes on in a human mind but can’t argue with results.

 

[Nack]

Not to sound like an idiot, but that story is just too "over the top" for me, there's just too many words that i don't understand >.> Time to hit the books.

 

[Jin]

I know a love story behind this song. It's a true story from the WWII era. I used to love hearing my grandmother tell me this story over and over.

When my great aunt was about sixteen years old, she had a beautiful friend, and this friend had an eighteen year old boyfriend whom she loved dearly. The two youths were inseperable, as young lovers tend to be. This young man had an incredible singing voice and loved to sing. The girl would ask him to sing to her often, and one of her favorite songs was 'Cara ti voglio tanto Bene'.

Before she had the chance to turn eighteen, my aunt's friend fell will with leukemia. Her young lover tended to her day and night and would not leave her side. At her request, he would sing her favorite song. Eventually, she succumbed to the leukemia, and at her funeral, the boy sang her favorite song for the last time with tears streaming down his face. Needless to say, he never took another lover for as long as he lived.

My aunt would refuse to listen to this song because she could not keep herself from crying. My mother, grandmother and I cry every time we hear this song.

i love the italicized parts....men....thats what you call true love..... he`s a man of word.....a man of respect....

 

[Jin]

thats why i called him a man of word...maybe before your aunt`s friend died....he promised something that she cannot replaced by any means..... and he proves it until now..... i know its kind of tiring.... but its a man thing....maybe dignity, and his love for her are at stake..... i thought it only exist in a movie and books.... but he proved me wrong....

 

[Jin]

My grandmother would always tell me that true love is tragic. I don't know how true that is, and I would say that it's a pretty discouraging/depressing claim. I'm sure such things exist, though. The question is: how many of us will ever get the chance to have/feel something like that in our lifetime?

yeah your grandmother is right.....you will never know until a tragic happens to both of you....coz nowadays finding the right ones and living a happy life is what true love means to others...and about the chances....for me, hmmm...expect the worst...then come what may...... for others that are already experiencing it....well they`re lucky..... and iam happy for them....

 

[losttroy]

My grandmother would always tell me that true love is tragic.

True love can be arguably the worst tragedy for two lovers to experience. But only if they somehow lose it.::

The question is: how many of us will ever get the chance to have/feel something like that in our lifetime?

I'll answer your question: The same amount of people who find their best, most closest friend, and then marries them.

 

[A_Void_Ant]

That's all I really want out of this world, a love like that. I swear, the day I finally ask a girl out, it will have been so long a wait for a reason. I didn't pass all these girls in my past up for nothing... my heart is guiding me, so I like to think sometimes. I swear... I will have a love such as this one. That's how it should be. My patience will be rewarded. It has to be. I really wouldn't want to be alive if I knew otherwise.