18 Forever
This past week Haviva and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov. After four cities, two countries, and six children, our love and commitment is 18 times as strong as it was way back when -- and even then I thought, wow, how could it get any better?!
What is our secret, in a world where half [at least] of first marriages don't last? Well, I think it's a combination of many things, but for me the most important thing is that we are still 18. Wait, how is that possible -- did we marry at birth? In the kabbalistic [mystical] realm maybe, but no, what I mean is that we have preserved our enthusiasm for life and living it together no different than we were 18, just a little smarter and more experienced (it helps that Haviva still looks 18!).
Haviva and I met when we were 18, and it took us almost three years to officially "marry" (at age 21), but I still look at her like the day we met -- just much more in love. I hate to sound so sappy, but its true and I am thrilled to share with the world.
What is it mean to look at life from the eyes of an 18 year old? To believe anything is possible, anything is achievable. That there is an essential goodness to the other, and to be always optimistic, even when recognizing the challenges.
18 has become a magical number in many parts of the world, in Jewish numerology has long been a "lucky" number, as the letter for the hebrew word Chai [life] add up to 18. Oh, and our initials spell out Chai....
18 is the point at which the Western world deems you and adult--able to vote, fight, and yes, marry.
At the 18 point in our marriage, I am ready to [re]dedicate myself to a life together with Haviva and our expanding family...may we enjoy many more "18" moments together. Mazel Tov.
yafeh, brachot m'Kiryat Melachi, CA
Posted by: David Lazar | June 20, 2008 at 08:45 AM
מזל טוב!!!
Mazel tov to you and Haviva!
Posted by: Avi | June 21, 2008 at 11:59 PM