Nine years ago today, Dallis and I stood on the back deck of Al and Catherine Topp’s home in Los Osos, California, surrounded by family and a few close friends, and said “I Do” to one another. Each of us had been married once before, and we grasped the enormity of getting a second chance with one another.
We first met a couple of years earlier when her mother was hospitalized and I went to make a pastoral visit (this is a whole other story with a few interesting details that may need to be told some other time). It was more than a year after this hospital visit that we went to see a movie together (“A Beautiful Mind”) in San Luis Obispo and ended up falling in love! Within a few weeks of this first date I wrote the poem below – the first of many love poems I have written for Dallis.
My Beautiful One
In these green hills beauty speaks its radiance
in lustrous grasses draped in dew,
in calm shade of oak and pine,
in sunlight dancing amid the shadows…
speaking, speaking for the world’s delight.
In these wild bluffs beauty risks its heart
in thunderous crash of breaking waves,
in plunging cliffs of sculptured rock,
in enormity echoing amid the sameness…
risking, risking for the world’s repair.
In these soft meadows beauty plays its aria
in mellow throat songs of nightingale,
in whispering breezes off the sea,
in sweetness rising amid the sadness…
playing, playing for the world’s pleasure.
You, my love, my beautiful one,
are the spoken radiance,
the heart’s risk,
the playful aria for me.
Happy anniversary to my beautiful one, whose presence makes life sweet!
Words (c) 2002 Mark Lloyd Richardson
Photos (c) 2003, 2010 Dallis Day Richardson
dreamprayact 
Ack!! Can’t see the computer screen–someone turned on the waterworks!
Thank you, my dear, for making my life so abundantly wonderful. I am indeed the Lucky One.
It’s been a great nine-plus years, and here’s to many more, my love!
You two are both beautiful and and my warmest wishes for a most delightful anniversary. Congratulations on building a wonderful life together. Thank you for sharing your story here. Reminds me of how I give thanks every day for my beloved husband, my own precious second-chance. Here’s to Love!
Thank you, Gina. Here’s to Love indeed! It makes the world go ’round!
Thank you for sharing your love story. I was particularly touched by the mention of the nightingale. I first heard its haunting song in England, at a time when encouragement was in short supply. We must heed what God places in our path, trusting all works for our good.
Connie, Thanks for your kind words. We do need to pay attention to all the ways God speaks to us, as you say, and I am a firm believer that caring relationships are a huge part of how that happens. The encouragement you once felt in the nightingale’s song is another example of how creation blesses us. Peace, Mark
Congratulations Mark & Dallis on this beautiful milestone in life! Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and joy together! May you both continue to be blessings to all who may cross your paths. From someone blessed by knowing you. Sharon
Sharon, It is very sweet of you to say these things. I am glad that our paths have crossed, so that we can learn from one another. Blessings, Mark
Happy Anniversary!
Laurie, Thanks for your warm wishes. Peace, Mark
Happy Anniversary and many many more!
Thanks so much, Linda. I appreciate your kindness. Peace, Mark
Hey, I remember this wedding day! It was lovely, as well as the two sharing nuptials. Happy anniversary, you two! Love ya!
We love you too, Lori. Good memories, and especially good to have you in my life (you already know how Dal feels)!
So glad that ring was recovered! Love you both!!!
See, now you are teasing people – what could you possibly mean, that ring was recovered? Love you too, Mark
How very lovely! May you two have many, many additional joyful years together celebrating this grand gift!
Thank you, Kathryn. We intend to do just that!
Happy Anniversary, and may you be blest with many more!
Thank you, Cynthia.
What a lovely tribute to the years you’ve spent together! Here’s to many more. 🙂
Thanks, Eve. We do look forward to many more years together.
You and your beautiful one are BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER! Isn’t our God a gracious God? He gave you two a chance for love again in a mature and thankful way. In my case, He sent a “keeper” into my life when I was too young to fully grasp the enormity of the gift. Now, 50 years later (and still counting), I get it! May your lives together be as love-filled and grace-giving as they are today – – – and even more so in the 50 years to come! God bless you for sharing ;o)
Thank you, Jan, for your perspective on the gift of a maturing love. That’s wonderful that you have shared so many years with your life partner! Many blessings in the years to come, Mark
Thank you for the blessings, Mark. We can use them everyday, that’s for sure. Life is a journey, isn’t it? One blessed minute at a time! Keep on lovin’ … Hugs, Jan ;o)