to dorcas:

it's a rare thing for me to see friends truly happy, happy in a way that's unadulterated and real, not the cynical half-happiness of intellectual triumph, or pecuniary gain, or moral oneupmanship. i almost hesitate to say anything about it, because any opinion or sentiment surely cheapens the emotion; the penumbra surrounding anything so good must needs be talk of its transience rather than the celebration of its preciousness. so, no, rather than empty wishes of the impossible, i want to wish you this: that the memory of your delight will be as clear today as always, and that you know this happiness truly and deeply, whatever you may feel in the rest of this hope-filled life.

congratulations, and all the best for now and always!