Love, when it comes, is often a surprise. It takes us by storm, fills our hearts and our thoughts to overflowing with the object of our affections. Requited or unrequited makes little difference with regard to the degree of our obsession with The Beloved. All we know is that we love.

Despite all that, I didn’t know this could happen to me. I mean, sure, I liked Philadelphia a lot. I was extremely infatuated with Dublin, and wouldn’t mind seeing her again. But I had never realized just how profound and deep a love could develop so quickly for a city until I moved here.

I’ve pondered how this happened. I mean, I was attracted – obviously – or I wouldn’t have moved here. Perhaps it has been the time and space I’ve enjoyed to explore. Perhaps it has been the joy of discovery by bicycle and on foot – remove the automobile from the equation and you can have a direct and visceral experience of the city, an experience that fills all of your senses to overflowing. Perhaps I was longing for something to fill a void and Minneapolis happened to be here. All I know is that I am in the midst of a passionate affair that has the potential to deepen into a lifelong, abiding love.

Let me, with all due respect to Elizabeth Barrett Browning (who may object from the grave that I am applying her famous lines, written for her husband, to something as seemingly impersonal as a city), count the ways:

 

 

 

How do I love thee, Minneapolis? Let me count the ways:

 

 

 

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

 

 

 

 

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

 

 

 

 

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

 

 

 

 

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

 

 

 

 

 I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints.

 

 

 

I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.