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16
Jul
On our drive back to Ithaca, we stopped at Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands. It was built by George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, out of love for his wife, Louise. Only she died suddenly at age 45. Boldt, brokenhearted, ceased all work on the castle, never returning to the island again.
I sure hope I don’t share her fate.
“Where’s the king?” our 3-year-old asked. And as I got caught up in his search for the knights he thought ransacked the place, I wondered what is a better approach to parenting: following their imaginative lead or teaching the truth? Maybe it depends on who you are. Half the time I still can’t tell the difference between fact and fiction in my own head.
As he chattered, I snapped pictures of the rooms I liked. Because now that our family is building a house, I’m always searching for ideas and visualizing how we’d use a space. Like think of the parties we could throw in this ballroom.
I could wear my wedding gown! If I could fit into it.
Or the conversations Matt + I could have in this sitting room.
How was your day, dear?
It’d be a room that celebrates us, a place where we could reclaim who we are as a couple after our children go to bed.
Because I remember who I was before we married, but I struggle to remember who we were before we had children. And in a sitting room, we wouldn’t stare at dishes we’d yet to clean or reminders of what jobs tomorrow brings. We would just have each other, and maybe a glass of wine.
Because a house isn’t built to be a monument of love. It’s built to celebrate the love you find in it.
How do you show your love for your spouse?
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Recent accomplishments: three wonderful children and a shower. Former accomplishments: author of 52 Fights, creative consultant on its ABC pilot, and a firm stomach.
– Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
7 Responses to “A monument of love: Boldt Castle”
I love Bolt Castle, we visited it last year…such a tragic story, but a beautiful place…I am very thankful, there is a group trying to finish and restore it to what it should have been.
Ahh… a ballroom, that is why a read historical books…the romance and grandeur!!
Your comment about being able to remember who you were before marriage but not who the two of you were before children is such a great statement! I totally understand! I am sitting looking at a table of dirty dishes I wished were washed, thinking of the things I failed to accomplish today, while trying to put my baby to sleep. I can’t remember actually having relaxing evenings. But that said I also realize I would never want to go back to pre-children. My husband and children are the most wonderful things in my life. I would rather have a dirty kitchen and sit up all night with a child who needs me then be able to get all the sleep I want and have an immaculate house with no children.
Ballroom, Sitting room… AHHH… Would be NICE!
Hubby and I didn’t have a “before kids” so it will be interesting to see after they’re gone! His first wife died of cancer and they’d had 6 kids. I had 3 and we had another. NO, not all in the house at the same time!! In fact, his 2 oldest have their oldest 2 similar ages to our youngest 2. LOL! Another was in college, another had just finished high school. So there were 12 & 15 yr olds I got to play mom to for a while… then mine were 8, 6, and infant. He adopted the baby. Didn’t want him all alone down there… LOL! 16 months between him and the next! Should be interesting getting to empty nest days… Especially for HIM! *sigh*
wow that place looks cool like a European castle
What a wonderful place, I love visiting old places. People lived so different back then, it’s amazing to see.
WOW that place is stunningly beautiful!
Love what you said about the house being built to celebrate the love you find in it. How powerful!
We go for imagination every time. My son actually believes that our garden gnome, Herman, leaves him presents, lol.
Stopping by from Mom Loop.
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