My valentine

Lorrin doesn't do Valentine's Day. She's a contrarian in most ways, so this is no surprise. She brought me chocolates last night, contrary to expectations, I brought her nothing as instructed–but perhaps not expected? She thinks I'm too rational, I think she's too emotional. I'm evenly tempered and mostly imperturbable, she has ups and downs followed by downs and ups (in no particular order). She's vegan–apart from eating milk chocolate; I'm vegan–apart from eating meat (sometimes). I'm an American and proud of it; she's a scatterling (with Australian citizenship) and proud of it. She's a night-owl; I'm a basket case by 10:30, but we both love sleeping in. We love cats, which is how we met. We love each other's cats. We enjoy Scrabble, although she hates losing, but I love winning so it evens out.

Relationships involve challenges and compromises in every way, ours is no exception. But what I gain from having her in my life is immeasurably more than the trade-offs having her requires. I am still obdurate, as she will attest; she is still high maintenance, which I think she enjoys. All difficulties notwithstanding, I am a better man with her and, I hope, improving. Whatever life throws my way, I hope to meet it with Lorrin by my side.

So to you, my valentine, a bit of the bard:

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state,

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,

Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least,

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

Like to the lark at break of day arising

From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate

For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Happy Valentine's Day, sweetie.