A Blessing

Shortly after our engagement, Mr. H and I were at Bellevue Square in a stationary shop. He was at one rack and I was at another with my back to him as we quietly read through greeting cards. Out of nowhere, a Buddhist nun with shaved head and grey robe took my hand, then reached out and took my soon-to-be-husband's hand and placed them together. She said a few words we didn't understand followed by "Very Happy," squeezed our hands, bowed, and walked out of the store. We turned to each other and at the same time said, "We've been blessed." Then, hand in hand, we ran out of the store to follow her. Up and down the mall we searched, but she was no where to be seen.

I've always wondered why she chose us. I don't know why I just remembered that story, it comes back to me from time to time. She was right, we are very happy. And very thankful for her blessing.
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Most Like an Arch This Marriage

Most Like an Arch This Marriage

By John Ciardi

Most like an arch—an entrance which upholds
and shores the stone-crush up the air like lace.
Mass made idea, and idea held in place.
A lock in time. Inside half-heaven unfolds.

Most like an arch—two weaknesses that lean
into a strength. Two fallings become firm.
Two joined abeyances become a term
naming the fact that teaches fact to mean.

Not quite that? Not much less. World as it is,
what’s strong and separate falters. All I do
at piling stone on stone apart from you
is roofless around nothing. Till we kiss

I am no more than upright and unset.
It is by falling in and in we make
the all-bearing point, for one another’s sake,
in faultless failing, raised by our own weight.

The Collected Poems of John Ciardi (University of Arkansas Press, 1997)



6 years after our first date and I wouldn't change a thing.
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Anniversary

Four years ago today, Mr. H and I said "I do."



I'm a lucky, lucky girl.



We didn't actually get to eat much at the wedding, so on the way to the hotel, we stopped at McDonalds and got Happy Meals. We've gone out for Happy Meals every year since, and that's where we'll be dining tonight.
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This is my contribution to Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta



Previous contributions include:

• Serenity
  
• Watch Out
  
• What I didn't know
  
• Featured Prefromers

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Romance on Rails

For our first wedding anniversary celebration, Mr. H took me out on the Spirit of Washington dinner train.

He thought of everything. Before we boarded the train, he helped me complete my look with a Holly Yashi necklace and earring set. Then there were roses waiting for me when we got to our table on the train.

The food was excellent. I had prime rib and he had the salmon. The wines were exquisite - I particularly enjoyed the whidbey port.



Mr. H, my dear husband, I don't have enough words to tell you how much I love you. You made me very, very happy tonight.



I love you more every day and I'm so thankful that I get to spend my life with you.

Wedding Ceremony: September 5, 2004

VOWS OF MATRIMONY

I, Aaron,

accept you, Judy,

to be my wife.

I promise to live with you,

to trust and to cherish you,

to be your constant friend,

and faithful partner in life.

I promise to love, honor,

and respect you always,

as long as we both shall live.

I, Judy,

accept you, Aaron,

to be my husband.

I promise to live with you,

to trust and to cherish you,

to be your constant friend,

and faithful partner in life.

I promise to love, honor,

and respect you always,

as long as we both shall live.

RING CEREMONY

I, Aaron,

accept you Judy

to be my wife

and in doing so

I commit my life to you.

I embrace the sorrows and the joys

the hardships and the triumphs

in the experiences of our lives together.

As we grow in our roles

as life long partners,

so will we always remain best friends.

With this ring,

I make this commitment

in love forever.

I, Judy,

accept you Aaron

to be my husband

and in doing so

I commit my life to you.

I embrace the sorrows and the joys

the hardships and the triumphs

in the experiences of our lives together.

As we grow in our roles

as life long partners,

so will we always remain best friends.

With this ring,

I make this commitment

in love forever.