For Valentine's Day, a Marriage Proposal--from 1841

It’s been two weeks following my last radiation treatment.  The fatigue has been minor compared with chemo.  I’ve done computer work or reading for a few hours each day, but it’s not been for the entire day, as it was at the end of chemo.  I’ve had no burning, blistering, or pain.  I’m very thankful that radiation went so smoothly.  I thought I was scheduled for multiple doctor visits the week following radiation, but after arriving for the first appointment of the day on Feb. 4^th, learned that all of my appointment were in fact on March 4^th—chemo brain again, I guess.  I will start Tamoxifen, the hormone blocker, on Friday.  Since my cancer was fed by hormones, this drug will cause any remaining cancer to starve.  I will take it for the next 5-10 years, maybe longer as they continue to track and study it’s effect.  

I’m adjusting to my new hair.  I’ve never had short, or curly hair before.  Bad hair days are definitely better than no hair days.  I’m experimenting with different hair products to keep it all under control.  It’s growing fast!  Today I was able to run my old route, slowly, but that was very exciting!    

I’ve enjoyed working on family history while I’ve rested.  I’ve come to enjoy the search for relatives in my family tree—especially the challenge of finding married and maiden names.  This past week, I came across a marriage proposal to a cousin on Scott’s side of the tree.   It’s sweet, socially awkward, sincere, and successful.  I thought it would be fitting to post on Valentine’s Day: 

A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL March 24, 1841   

To my dear Miss Ann Bourland

Dear Miss, permit me for the first time in my life to make known my love to you. Having come to the conclusion to marry soon, I have selected you out of a large number of my aquaintance for my intended bride. To you Miss I promise that I have never loved before, but I can say so no longer. To you Miss Ann I offer my hand and my heart with the hope that I shall have yours in return. My writing thus to you may somewhat surprise you, but rest assured I am in earnest. It may be the least of your thoughts of receiving such a document as this from me, but Miss be not surprised. I will acknowledge that I have acted rather strangely for a lover, but unfortunatley I was not intended to be a ladies man.  Should I be so fortunate as to win your consent to a holy alliance, I can not promise you at what time we would be united in a holy state of matrimony, but Miss, if you like another, or think another man is more worthy of your affections, I am in hopes you will tell me so. Believing in your good judgement and that you will deal with me honestly, I leave the subject with you for your consideration. I will call upon you next Sunday for a positive answer, and at that time, if an opportunity affords itself, to hear from those little lips of yours my future happiness.

Yours in haste,

Manion

They were married 2 months later. He was 23, Ann was 16.

I’m so thankful to have had the same valentine for the past 36 years.  When we were 15, I bravely decorated a heart shaped cake for Scott and wrote on it, “Knock, Knock.”  I’m sure it made the entire cake thing even more embarrassing for Scott when everyone asked what it meant.  He probably didn’t share the rest of it:   “Knock, knock….who’s there?  Olive.  Olive who?  Olive you!”  I guess I was a little shy, socially awkward, sincere, and definitely successful!  Who would have thought at that time that the biggest crush I’d ever had would be my biggest crush forever!  It’s been a joy ride.  I’m so thankful to have found my best friend at a young age.  He is always my biggest fan and supporter. 

We have loved having Heath home for a little while before he leaves on his 2 year mission to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  We’ve completed all of the tasks and purchases on his lists.  We’ve seen a lot of miracles from heaven along the way.  Family starts arriving tomorrow.  He will speak in church on Feb. 24^th at 1:00, if you’d like to come, and that evening from 6-8 he’s having an open house and we’d love to have you stop by.  He enters the missionary training center on Wednesday, the 27^th. 

I’m sure you were all thinking this blog was finished, since I’ve crossed the finish line; but I’ll continue to leave updates along the way.  Thank you for your love and support.  It has made such a huge difference.  Each individual kind word has combined into a great source of strength.  Thank you!