“I think only that I love you.” Ima's secret romance, 1905

In 1905, while staying with her convalescing father at the Rice Hotel, Ima, age 22, had a serious romance. An undated letter written on Rice Hotel stationery and addressed to her at the hotel begins, “Sweetheart.” It was an answer to a note Ima had written to the sender. We don't have her note, but she saved the reply:

Sweetheart—

         It was not just the muchness of your note but the wasness of it that brought that inexpressible joy to my heart. Most heartily do I agree with you, sweetheart, that Fate could not be so unkind as to keep long separated two such loving and trusting hearts. Were I to think for a moment that we were not to be one for ever, that moment would I cease to be. But think not on thoughts so unpleasant for it is by thinking right that you get right, so get right on thought and it will be as you think it. I think only that I love you and that you are mine and that no power on earth can separate us, and none can. I love you by day. I love you by night. No winter chill our love can blight. For the moment dear, I go away—but I leave my love with you to stay. So with love, love, love, and kisses too.

I leave the moment my love with you.

                  Your Sweetheart.        

P.S.

When I first started to write to you.

I am sure my love, this note was blue

P.P.S.

Here’s a last kiss and another still.

Here’s one for Jack and one for Jill.

Of course they are all meant for you.

Jack and Jill I thought would do.

That I might give your kisses the rue

Ere I left—don’t you mind

But if my dear you are really mad

I’ll take them back to make you glad

So there! and there !! and there!!!

The cheeks, the mouth the hair.

So now I’m off but not to stay.

I’ll soon be back—so dear be gay.

[illegible] of love Sweetheart

Who was this mysterious suitor?  

Was his name Willis B. Reeve? Stay tuned.