Whilst many here, methinks, doth know the tale

Of Jonathan the bold and Jacquie fair,

Yet unspoken truths lie hid, in veil’d detail,

Of love’s bright bloom, adventure rich and rare.

Yet here, dear friends, some details new unfold,

Of love, adventure, courage manifold.

In days of yore, when fate was yet unknown,

Two souls embarked on paths apart and lone.

In theatre’s hallowed halls, our tale took flight,

Where shadows danced and flickered in the night.

From stage to stage, the muse did thus bestow,

The seeds of art, in dim-lit fires aglow.

Jacqueline, fair of heart and deft of art,

Didst flourish at FSU’s bold rampart.

Her skill in verse and movement bold and free,

Through works of Grotowski’s intensity.

And “Macbeth” set to movement strange and true—

Whilst Jon in Michigan, with heart anew,

At Hope College, did his spirit lend

To plays like “Strider,” where his friend took rein,

As Strider's steed, bold best man Brandon he did tame.

And “Labour’s Lost,” where wit and jest did blend,

In theatre’s grace, their spirits did ascend.

Both driven by a passion strong and true,

Each soul did seek where dreams might yet renew.

Five winters passed, and Houston's halls of fame

Did call them forth, though ne'er they knew by name.

Their stories ne’er yet merged, though stars align’d,

Till City of Angels housed their fates entwined.

There, once upon a midnight’s fleeting chance,

Did Jon first spy fair Jacquie at a glance.

But she, with toil weary, took no note,

And left him yearning with unspok’n throat.

Two years would pass 'ere fortune’d smile anew,

At fête where friends bid fond adieus adieu.

And there an old alum from Houston’s halls,

Did call them forth to one last revel's thralls.

And then, till morning’s break, they stayed as two—

He drove her home, with purpose yet untrue.

He bid her come to see his play that eve,

Yet bought no ticket, fearing to deceive,

Thinking fair Jacquie, beauty rare and bright,

Would ne’er take interest in his modest plight.

But Jacquie came, arrayed in style so rare,

And sat alone, front row, with poise and flair.

And after, drinks did flow, and spark did grow,

Till, bold, she asked him forth – his heart aglow.

Request a date—a thought he’d never dared!

Yet happily, he for that night prepared.

A date was struck, and thus, their tale unfurled,

In Becket’s words and salsa’s fiery whirl.

Thus love ignit’d, and many travels spread—

To Big Bear, Joshua’s wild deserts red,

To Idyllwild, where woods and mountains kiss,

To Michigan’s fresh lakes, Florida’s bliss.

Through Iowa, New York, and Utah’s heights,

Hawai’i’s shores, beneath the stars’ clear lights.

They cruised the Med, in splendor rich and fair,

And lastly Barcelona’s beauty rare.

There, high atop Montjuïc’s noble crown,

With mountains tall and seas spread vast and brown,

They rode the red cable car, swift and bright,

Ascending high toward the mountain’s might.

The ropes did hum as they rose through the air,

Above the earth, their hearts with wonder shared.

And when at last in Barcelona’s hold,

On Monjuic's heights, atop a castle fair and bold,

With sea before and mountains high behind,

Did Jon his love in earnest plea entwine.

"Fair Jacquie," quoth he, "dost thou join with me,

In journeying o’er life’s tumultuous sea?”

She answered “Yea,” and thus their fates were sealed,

A bond in joy and love and strength revealed.

Now on the sands of Malibu they dwell,

And in the lights of Hollywood’s bright spell.

With friends, with kin, in cheer they do excel,

Brave Violet by their side, where stories swell.

Protector true, with fur so soft and bright,

Her loyal heart, a constant guiding light.

In mirth and love, their tales shall know no end,

As dreams and stars in harmony ascend.