Thursday, June 26, 2008

Happy 4th Anniversary to us! :)


Today is our the actual date of our 4th anniversary. Annie and Rob are also celebrating their anniversary today, so happy anniversary to them!

Today we are not only celebrating 4 years of marriage, but also 37 years of friendship. My biggest fear when our romance began was that we might ruin our friendship in the process, but I'm glad we took the risk!

Back in 1972 Arthur introduced me to the writings of Kahlil Gibran. In fact, I still remember him reading passages from "The Prophet" to me on lazy afternoons when we would hang out at his place! For this reason, we chose a bit of Gibran for one of the readings we used at our wedding. Although the subject of marriage is addressed in The Prophet, we selected the essay about Friendship for our wedding. Here are some photo memories from over the years along with the essay:


On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran

And a youth said, Speak to us of Friendship.



Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.


When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain
to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.



Happy anniversary to my love, my friend.




*Photos: 1972, 1971, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1994, 2004

Wedding memories: Click here






4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you and Arthur!

And thanks for your anniversary wishes to Annie and I.

You know, I still remember reading yours and Arthur's stories in the "Messages of Hope & Healing" forum when I was just a few weeks out. I just want you to know how much it meant to me to read your stories during such a dark and uncertain time in my life. I just wanted to let you know that and say Thank You.

Again, Happy Anniversary and have a great day!

Stella said...

Awww.... thanks Rob! :)

Alexa said...

Hi stella! Happy Anniversary! I love that you found my blog and now I've found yours. Have I ever been reading and reading. Actually the one about your step daughter calling arthur on fathers day made me cry:) You guys are so blessed and I'm so happy to have you as a little part of my life! have a fabulous day!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!!

Loved the wedding pictures, too :-)