Musings on: Our Enchanted Cottage or a Tribute to My Better Half

Recently, upon the fourth anniversary of my better half’s death, my eldest daughter posted a reference to the Enchanted Cottage on her facebook page with various photos of the sign and of my beloved and me. Perhaps a more detailed explanation is in order for those who do not know the history behind it.

The name comes from a movie starring Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire made in 1945. It tells the story of a young, dashing, handsome pilot who goes off to war and returns home as a changed man both in appearance and outlook on life. He had been horribly maimed and disfigured and so decides to become a recluse, living apart from others in a cottage outside of town. He hires a young, homely girl with her own disabilities, as a housekeeper. (A personal opinion here—back in those days of film making, the make up departments did not have all the tools they have today and though they were able to do a pretty good job of changing Bob Montgomery’s appearance, it was much more difficult to portray the naturally beautiful McGuire as undesirable.)

As the two get to know each other, they are able to overlook their outward appearances and begin to appreciate the inner beauty of each other and soon fall in love. They quietly marry and then something magical happens—regardless as to how they appear to the public, as long as they remain inside their little cottage they are forever young, whole and beautiful. It is a wonderful romance story and a tribute to the power of love. The movie had always been a favorite of mine since I first saw it as an impressionable youth.

Fast forward many decades. My beloved and I took an early retirement and after a year of living as beach bums in the Outer Banks of N.C. we settled permanently into a lovely little home in Williamsburg, Va. We spent many happy years there actively living the good life but eventually age began to take its toll and our lifestyle had to adapt to physical changes. Travel became more difficult and our world began to shrink. We were spending most of our time confined to home, but still able to enjoy life and thankful for each other. Fortunately, we always shared a good sense of humor and one evening I said I thought the time had come for us to officially name our abode The Enchanted Cottage because despite our outward appearances, we still were able to see ourselves as forever young, whole and beautiful. He enthusiastically agreed and a dear family friend made a sign for us to hang outside our front door.

We both remained happy and contented there until his journey on earth ended.

May everyone find their Enchanted Cottage!