I Want to Hold Your Hand

Shalom:



I saw this on facebook a few minutes ago and just couldn't resist.
It made me think of Mark and I because we too hold hands while we sleep. If we are not holding hands, we are holding each other.
I believe the Sea otters have something. Because the currents of life we float upon; jobs, housework, children, family crisis, can cause even the most loving couple to drift apart. Reaching out to friends and loved ones, that simple gesture of touch reconnects us, reminds us we are not in this world alone.
I love watching sea otters at play. They are not lone wolves, but pack beings, needing community. Family.
Just like we humans.
Nature is one of our greatest teachers.
If we allow her.

Pookies Don't Leave.

Shalom:
For family and friends who celebrate Valentine's Day, I hope it was a blessed one for you. Yes, for my friends who do not celebrate, I know of its pagan roots as well as of its christian roots. For Mark and I, it is the time we decided to join our lives together. And therefore, the day holds its own special meaning.

Usually, we go away to Williamsburg for  a few days, but without money, this is the second year we remain home. I made a special meal of roasted veggies over cous-cous that both Mark and Montaque enjoyed.
It has been hard on Mark these few days, not being able to buy me a flower or a card. I thought him, for me it is indeed the thought that counts. Just knowing you want to.
Now get me wrong, I enjoy receiving roses and card like any woman. But I also know that at the moment, pulling what little money we have left into the gas tank, to look for a job is more needful than flowers. Making sure we have food to eat is far more important than a box of chocolate.
I know my husband loves me. And I don't need Valentine's Day for him to show it.
Making sure I have a roof over my head is just as romantic as dinner and a movie.
This morning, Mark looked at me and said: "you really do love me, don't you?"
"Yes, I do."
"Your amazing, another woman would have left a long time ago."
"I'm not another woman, I'm your Pookie Bear. And Pookies don't left."

Date Night

Shalom;
Last Sunday was the second of our date night.
Of course we combined it with doing laundry, but it still works.

Naturally, Montaque had the best seat in the house.
So while the washing machines did their thing, we headed for the Starbucks just down the street for Peppermint Mochas.

I long for the day when the pumpkin spice is kosher as well.
It was a very nice evening, a little on the chilly side, but still made for a night evening out.

This was also a nice evening for taking pictures of Ghent. This is Fair Grounds, across the street from Starbucks. Texture is one of my favourite stores; the stores offers some of the most interesting gifts in Norfolk.
I have going to have to write an entry about Texture some time.

The Naro theatre. Builded 75 years ago, the Naro is an experience in itself. Entering the theatre is taking a step back in time, back to the 30s and 40s when going to take in supper and a movie was a night out. Rarely do Mark and I take in a movie that isn't played here. Another place to blog about soon.

My two guys, waiting for me to finish taking pictures, so we can get down to the real reason of our being out here; coffee.
As we sat and enjoyed our coffees, I noticed for the first time, the worry lines around Mark's eyes were gone. His laugh came easy, he smiled more. The tension was gone.
He took my hand and asked me what I was thinking.
"How much I love you,"
"Funny," Mark said, "I was thinking the same thing."

Memory Book

Boker Tov (good morning)
Last night, as Mark and I laid in bed, talking over the day, we came to the conclusion that this is the year we truly became one flesh.
The trials of the past two years have drawn us closer together. We realize how much we truly love each other, are devoted to each other.
I laid on Mark's chest as he stroked my hair, listening to Monti barking in his sleep.
Earlier in the day, my mother told me how much she admired me;
"Laini, I don't know if I could go through what you and Mark are going through right now. Not every woman would have stayed with Mark this long, you two are truly one flesh."
I no longer wonder what is HaShem doing or why is He allowing us to go through this.
To make us Holy, as He is Holy.
To make us one.

Another sweet page to add to my memory book.

Seven Years

Boker Tov:
A Blast from the Past.
This entry is from our blog: We Made Our Own Huppah

Thursday, 20 November 2008

It Rained that night, too:

Picture of Mark and I, Blessing Dinner, 2006From 13th 2005
When: A Sunday.
The place: Beth Messiah Synagogue.
The Event: The Blessing Dinner.
For several years, the men of our Synagogue got together and made dinner for their wives, daughters, mums as well as the single, divorced or widowed women of the congregation. The idea was that of Carl Steven. The thought behind it was to make sure everyone in our mist was honoured.

 The Sunday chosest to Valentine's Day was picked. It was called Blessing Dinner to bless the women in the men's lives. It was a potluck meal where the men did the cooking. Roses and other flowers were brought for the evening. For woman who were Bat Mitzvah (over the age of 13) she would receive a rose. Girls under 13 receive another type of flower.
The men setup, serve the meal and clean up. After dinner, first the husbands, one by one would stand up and play tribute to their beloved and afterwards, represent her with a rose. The men would also pay tribute to their mums and daughters. Rabbi would give roses to the women who, for whatever reason, was without a mate. This way everyone received at least one flower on Lovers Day.

There was in one sweet moment when a young boy got up and gave a rose to his mother, a dear woman who's raising three sons on her own.
Mark and I were courting at the time. For several weeks we had talked about marriage. And Mark by his own admission suffered from a serve case of cold feet.
We were suppose to meet earlier in the day, do a little shopping and then I would dress at his apartment.
But at the last minute there was a change in the plans and Mark didn't realise that the project he needed to finish would put him last by several hours.

So here I sit, wondering what happen. Was he sick? Did he get into an accident?

And then, around four in the afternoon, he walks in, thinking everything was fine.

It wasn't.

We exchanged words and almost did not go to the dinner.
But we went to his apartment so I could change. I wore a studding midnight black dress that had ripples at the hem and moved every time I did. I took my braids out and let my wavey hair fall down my back and laced in it little hairpins with pearls and diamond's. I was looking good.
Mark looked up from his test when I walked out and then looked back into his book! My heart sank. Guess I didn't look as good as I thought. Maybe someone will think I'm pretty...

 Mark then stood up, placed his hands on my shoulders and asked; "excuse me, who are you and what have you done with my Laini?" That made me smile. He really did notice. According to remarks Mark would later make ; "she looked gooooood!"
Like tonight, it was pouring down rain and since I was wearing heeds I wasn't use to, I had to hold onto Mark's arm.
Heads turned when I walked in. While most were used to seeing me dress for the services, no one had seem me dressed to the nines. Or my hair loose and free from braids.
Until tonight.
After the meal, Mark wondered out loud: "I wonder what I am going to say about you."I said: "Just ask the Father. And the words will then come."
He did and they did.
At one point I notice Mark had left the table we were sharing with friends. I thought he had gone to the bathroom.

 Then I heard his voice.

 Coming from the front of the room.

 Now you have to understand, Mark didn't wait until all of the husband had spoken.

This in itself caused a buzz in the room.

Mark picked up and rose and began to tell everyone how I had prayed for him, cared for him, how I supported him while he was in Iraq and now during his cancer treatment. That G-d had truly blessed him when He brought me into his life. He spoke of his love for me and said everything but; "will you marry me?" He then came over and handed me the rose.

 He asked if I liked what he said. I told him; "I love every word, and you have no idea what you just did.""What did I just do?""You just asked me to marry you in front of almost 130 people."
It took a few moments, but when Rabbi asked: "you didn't see that coming did you?" Mark realise what he had done. To say the room was abuzz was an understatement.
On the way home we talked about what he had done. And when he came to a red light, Mark turned to me and said; "well, you want to set a date?"And that is how is all began.

Seven ago tonight. Around 7:00pm.

On the Road Again: Part Three

Boker Tov:
So after crashing in GettysBurg and getting a pretty good night's sleep, Mark and I took our time preparing for the day. We should reach New York by evening, so we didn't feel a need to hurry.
Our hotel room at the Courtyard Marriott in GettryBurg, PA.

And yes the bed was quite comfortable...

One of the nicest things about this hotel is the internet is secure. There is wireless internet service in each room. You don't even need your own computer cord; just plug your baby in and off you go. I had a lovely talk with the night manager. She has a son station here in Norfolk and the family has plans to get together for the holidays. I told her make sure they visit Bush Gardens while in town, one of the best places to be for the winter holidays.

The morning meal was pretty good as well, though I couldn't eat it all. The only thing missing is the Starbucks coffee. Once out of Virginia, we had yet to find a Starbucks.

Not good.

On the Road Again

Boker Tov:

Well, we're on the road again.
I do need to catch up on the others two we have been on. Each connected with the Yellow Ribbon Reingeration Program.
But more about that later.

We set out for Rochester, New York a few days ago. While it is about an ten hour drive from Virginia, I told Mark I prefer to break the trip into two days. This way we arrive safey and he will be refresh and alert for his training.
And after what we went through the last two trips, Mark was willing to go along.
So Monday afternoon, after packing and setting the house in order, headed out for our next adventure.

And you know Moshe and Abraham had to go along.

The weather was wonderful; sunny, cool, but not cold. The interstate ablazed with the autumn colours.

But my favorite part of the trip was just riding with my beloved. Whether we were singing with the radio, listening to the news or just talking, laughing over silly, private jokes, I still love the simple pleasure to be with the man I love.

We arrived in GettyBurge, PA around 8:30 pm and after a supper of pizza, and lousy pizza at that I crashed.

And Mark decided this was a good time to take a picture of my socks.....

I think their cute....

Autumn in Ghent.

Boker Tov:

While out for our walk yesterday afternoon, we spotted down the street we were walking.

The streets of Ghent paint a lovely picture in the Autumn, often remind me of the picture puzzles my mother loves to work on.
We do a lot of walking in Ghent. The Laundry Mat we use is right there on the main street, along with the Naro, where we rent our vidoes and of course Star Bucks.
Many of the homes in Ghent are works of art. Many dating back to 1890s to 1900s, you can just imagine the stories they tell.
We spend a lot of time in Ghent during our courtship. So much so that this is where we chose to live when we got married. We laughed about the fact we actually started getting serious about where our relationship was heading around this time eight years ago, when Mark began to think about how to ask me to marry him and I was wondering when he would.
We had no money and the winds of war blew all around us. But so did love and a future together.
Ten years later, we have come full cicrle. Now married and living here in Ghent, we have no money, and Ghent is still amoung our favorite date spots. We still laugh and talk about G-d and His Torah, about books we have read and what we imagine our life looking together.
I would like to see the no money part change, however.

Love in Williamsburge; Part Two. And Mark?

Boker Tov:
So you got all these wonderful gifts. That's so sweet and loving of your husband. But what did he get?
Glad you ask.
Whether you call this time St. Valentine's Day, Lover's Day, Blessing Day (as we do in our home) I believe it should be a day showing love to EACH OTHER.
Yes, it is the  Day for wooing the lady you love in hopes of winning her hand and heart. But what about showing your man some love too?

So, when we talked about going away for the week, I paid for the hotel room.
And I am just as sneaky as Mark (wink)

I put the vase of red roses next to our bed, along with two tall wine glasses and a bottle of white wine, The Governor's Special, bottled right here in Williamsburg Winey.

So later Monday evening, after Supper, Mark found this when he entered our room....

Mark loves Curious George, so every celebration has to include dear old George.

I am PEAnuts for you.

Aren't we cute?

Passion Cookie :)

Candy Hearts; Black Cherry, Vanilla Cupcake, smells yummy.

A little eye candy...

Mark said he adored his gifts....and I'm not finished.

Love in Williamsburge: Part One

Boker Tov:
Mark had to attend a Job Fair today, so for the most part, I have the day here to myself here in Williamsbuge. It looks pretty so I might go for a walk.
But I miss my beloved.
We have one more day here, so I am catching up on some blogging.

Mark and I arrived here in Williamsburge Sunday evening, after Hebrew class and dropping off my laptop.
Again. That's another story.
We went to supper and then settled in for the evening.
We talked about the evening that we were engaged, how we both felt when we returned to our respected homes.
Mark told me that he had some many emotions; what had I done???? happy; I really do love her. She said yes.
Me: what have I done?????? happy; I really do love him. He really asked me to marry him.
How happy we both were the following days, but knew that there was a dark cloud over our heads.
Not everyone would be happy to hear we were engaged.

Monday dawned nice an bright. The weather warm.
There was a call from the front desk. Mark got and told Jeff that he was coming down anyway.
Hmmm?
Mark said he was going down to bring me breakfast and there was a package downstairs.
Really?
So about twenty minutes later, Mark returned with a box only. Room service was bringing the morning meal.
He handed the box with a boyish smile.
Seems Major Reel had my Valentine's gift delievered to the hotel.

Now what could this be?

Well, my beloved decided to do a little shopping, via Pajama Gram. The little blue package is bath petals to soften my bath water.

The roses are rose scented soaps.... The right is a nasty nightie....and we shall leave it there....

And the pink in the bottom is a Hoodie Footie. A Pink Furry, Fuzzy, Cozy, Hoodie Footie. To be honest, I did drop a few hints that this is what I wanted.

Mark had my nickname stitched in.

I love the Footies and if your feet get too warm, you can remove them.

I had just gotten settled into my new PJ's when there was a knock at the door. Breakfast had arrived. And so had another box.

Now this green box has appeared at my door for almost six years, so I knew what this was....

And I wasn't disappointed.....

Mark went out to pick up my medication for me, insisting I stay here at the hotel. A few hours later, I found out why...

Carolina CupCakes. The CupCakes in Hamption Roads.

Looks I am going to be doing a lot of walking.

I Still Have the Rose

Shalom:
On Feburay 12th, 2005, I recieved my first rose from Mark.
It was at the Blessing dinner our former synagouge held.
Mark had been wrestling between his love for me and what others thought about our relationship, whether or not to listen to his heart,
 Finally, when he stood to share how he felt about me, the words of love just flowed out; he asked me to marry me. And he was only person in the room that didn't realize what he had done.
He brought me home, kissed me on the forehead and headed home. He was still in school and had finals that week. I placed my rose in a vase, called my mother to tell her the news and then went to bed.
A few days later, my mother suggested I press the rose in our family bible.
That was six years ago.
The Bible's binding is now broked and I have to have it fixed, but I still have the rose. Yes, it is pressed and dry, has to be handled carefully, but it reminds me of the night Mark not only listened to his heart, but placed it in my hand.