These were the berries that I snacked on in the garden yesterday afternoon. Yum! Berries from the garden have a taste that is so different from store-bought!
Today in Meeting I contemplated many things. Among the other thoughts that were swirling through my mind, I thought about my rings. You can see my wedding band in this photo. Inscribed around the band is the phrase vous et nul autre. I wear my wedding and engagement rings unconsciously. Rarely do I consider how they might shape others’ perceptions of me. They show that I am ‘taken.’ They are also evidence of my continued simplicity (no diamond, no fussiness). John wears the exact same rings on his hand, in just a few sizes larger than mine. This shows an equality between the two of us–a value that we’ve held since th first days of our relationship.
While these rings are evidence of my relationship with John, I don’t feel any more tied to him because I wear this jewelry. The gold bands are meaningless in and of themselves. I don’t feel ‘bound’ to them or to John because of them. I could lose them tomorrow and our bond would continue on without any change or disruption.
Sometimes, like my rings that are always on my finger even without my even thinking about it (because I never take them off), my marriage is a kind of unconscious thing–just there. Of late, though, it’s taken on a freshness. I’m not sure why. Each time I see John my heart just leaps. I am so in love with him. I have to fight the desire to be near him constantly–so we can both get our work done.
Even with having being together for nearly every moment of the holiday weekend I’m already feeling sad that tomorrow morning we both have to go to work and it’ll be hours before we are in each others’ arms again. I know it sounds silly, even juvenile, to adore someone so much. But I’m enjoying every minute of it….
:)
3 comments
I’m feeling very loved. *blushes*
I like that our rings are a witness to our values of equality and simplicity, even when you and I were at our most conservative phase (and encountering a deep seated tradition like marriage). Our choice of rings, our simple reception, demonstrate that we navigated our own unique path through all of that.
This has been a fun break. I love how in sync we are, in spite of our separate pursuits. I love how we find ways to continually reinvent and refresh our passion for each other while our underlying friendship and partnership continues to deepen.
I love that when you shine that dazzling smile of yours my way my stomach turns little flips, that you can seduce me out of my crankier moments, and that nearly two decades into our relationship you are still endlessly fascinating and your passion for life continues to be strong.
Hooray for true love! I feel a bit like an intruder commenting here after John’s response, but I wanted to say thank you for the heart-warming post that gives me so much hope for the future, and put a big smile on my face tonight before bed. :o)
johnr: :)
rich: your comments are always welcome here!