Lincoln, 1865 - 2015.

[Donna McCreary]

One of my favorite stories took place when Abraham and Mary were courting.

He came to call upon her at the home of Ninian and Elizabeth and sometime during the visit, Mary offered Lincoln a piece of cake. She claimed that it was not as light as usual, for she had baked it on a Friday, and therefore, the cake was sad. She went on to say, "One should never commence anything on that unlucky day." When Lincoln asked her who had proclaimed Friday to be a day of ill-luck, Mary responded "the fairies." She explained that being part Scottish, she believed in the fate, the furies, and the fairies, had hunted for the magic circle where they dance, and had heard the faint elusive music of fairy bells.
Lincoln, entranced by her story, fell into a loving poetical mood himself and interrupted her tale by adding: . . . "and the elfin horns faintly blowing? I am sure that one of them must have been your godmother. She fell in love with you in your cradle and showered you with all her choicest gifts. You must have been a prime favorite of that generous lady."

I always find this story to be filled with all the traits of romance -- a fairy godmother, music, poetry, mystery, flirting, dessert, and most importantly, Mary's prince charming.