Counting Down to April 9th

. . . It seemed natural: it seemed genial to be so well-loved and caressed by him. 

"Jane, you look blooming, and smiling, and pretty," said he, "truly pretty this morning. Is this my pale little elf?"

"It is Jane Eyre, sir."

"Soon to be Jane Rochester," he added: "in four weeks, not a day more. Do you hear that?"

I did, and I could not quite comprehend it: it made me giddy. The feeling, the announcement sent through, was something stronger than was consistent with joy -- something that smote and stunned . . . I thought only of the bliss given me to drink in so abundant a flow. Again and again he said, "Are you happy, Jane?" And again and again I answered, "Yes."

- Charlotte Brontë, "Jane Eyre," 1847

In two and a half weeks, I'll be taking my beloved's name as well.

In two and a half weeks, all the months of planning about what color tablecloths we need, where to get a cake, what song we should dance to, and all the other unimportant wedding details will all be over.

And I'll think only of the bliss given me to drink in so abundant a flow!