marriage at 6 months,

sunset at salar de uyuni, dec2013

6 months of marriage. Many people told me what to expect of marriage. Some things have rung true, and others have not; but I can say at this point that marrying Dan has been one of the best decisions in my 27 years. Marriage isn't a fluffy fairytale of only sun-drenched mornings, breakfast in bed and evenings giggling on the couch (though it does happen); but it IS an adventure, and it's amazing.

I married a man who prays for and with me daily. I married a man who knows the love and grace of God, and learns of it daily to share with others. I married a man who loves and respects my thoughts, wishes, dreams and really, just me in all my silliness. He's a man who leaves me little notes and puffs up with happiness that he did. Watching his anticipation turn into smiles as I walk into his little surprises makes me laugh until it hurts every time. We hurt each other sometimes but we don't go to bed with backs turned. We more often giggle over the smallest things and have a dance whether it be in our living room or on the street. 

We're both students, so finances are never in abundance, but that too is part of the fun. Budgeting on my own can get a bit sad, but together, we've learned to get creative with what we have. I've always wanted a man who was open to seeing the world, not just because he loves to travel, but because he understands the value of it and the way it opens up the peripheral vision in your life. This man does, and for that I am so grateful. 

Backpacking South America for our honeymoon was one of the best things we did. Backpacking isn't easy half the time, but to start our marriage with 7 weeks where we took care of each other as travel sickness hit, learned to express appreciation of each other regardless of circumstances, helped each other when the other was weary; and enjoyed each other's company in a constantly changing environment within which we completely immersed ourselves and learnt from and with the locals. It was priceless, and perhaps one of the best starts to our marriage we could have asked for. 

I know marriage will get more difficult at times but the last 6 months, they've been a good start :)  

An Artistic Orchestra

There's something about rain.

It's like every drop of rain is a member of a very large orchestra; each with one note to play. Despite the temporal irregularity between each drop/note, the music created by this orchestra has a strangely regular rhythm; a sort of order in chaos. With a larger orchestra comes a cresendo, some particularly salient members bringing short solos. Some form sections of the orchestra, adding harmony to the main line, gurgling down the drain, creating texture in the music by hitting different surfaces.. tin sheds, paved floors, swimming pools to name a few. 

Then, out of this inherent irregularity,  a soothing song i never seem to get sick of. One that brings comfort, reminds me of a rich hot chocolate, induces cravings for a good book, pyjamas, thick socks and a sofa.

Suddenly, the song is receding, the tempo of the song decreasing, a movement in largo. I open the window to hear the last notes of the song and I'm greeted with a soft chill. How a chill can be soft is beyond me, but there is a gentleness in the breeze that makes me stand in its embrace despite the cold. I take a deep breath and exhale. My messy chalkboard of a mind is cleared and my body feels somehow healthier.

The song soon ends and I close my window with a smile, only to find my world crystallised. The disappearing headlights of a car and a stationary street light on an ebony canvas render the prior members of the orchestra elements of an ephemeral crystal artwork; and suddenly, the world is beautiful.