Across oceans and borders, a customs declaration became a promise: around 1952, a young George Woodman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, penned his devotion on a USPS customs form: “Little box with littler box inside” and “1 engagement ring of Navajo silver with turquoises.” The precious 4-ounce package was destined for the hands of Elizabeth Abrahams (later to be known as Betty Woodman) across the ocean in Fiesole, Italy, where she had been living and working for the past year.

In 1953, they married and remained lifelong partners. Betty, in the dedication of her 2006 monograph published by Monacelli Press, wrote: "To George / Ours has been an affair of love and art that has lasted more than fifty years." On this Valentine's Day, we honor Betty Woodman and George Woodman's nearly seven decade relationship in life and art!