Marrakech: and a tale of marriage

Oh, it's happened.  We forgot.

We were having drinks with friends in downtown Marrakech.  The music was going, the lights were glowing, the drinks were flowing.

And confidences were being revealed.....

My husband was immersed in discussions with the husband of a friend.  He told him that he was training for a half marathon.  I thought to myself,  How come I don't know that?

It was then I remembered.....our wedding anniversary.  We had forgotten it.  15  years.  15 years married.  Wasn't that a Hallmark something anniversary?    

The day had come and gone.   The day before.

I leaned forward and tapped him on the shoulder.  We forgot, I said.  We forgot what? he asked.  Our wedding anniversary, I said.  I got you that picture, he responded.  That was for my birthday, I said.  My birthday in three weeks.  And I picked that out myself, I added.  

Our wedding anniversary was lost in the shuffle.  The shuffle of to do lists and projects.  Of clients and children.  Of groceries and chores and emails.  The shuffle of horseback riding lessons and basketball tryouts and teenage angst and.......and things going wrong and others going right.  

Oh.  

PS So tell me..... What's the secret, you think, to marriage?  {Inquiring minds want to know....}

Image by Christine Johnson

A final tale of a bride & groom: Part 4

They were married now.  And so the party began!

The reception entry was patriotic and -- with its rose topiary tree -- fetching at the same time.

And the tables were even lovelier, with toile tablecloths, platinum rimmed dishes, and red roses.

The food was, well, sublime.  And beautiful girls mixed with senators.

 

Even the famed George took time off from his non-stop tango-ing to attend. 

 

 The bride and groom sat pretty in their chairs......... 

as touching toasts were made in their honor......

 
After dinner the guests were whisked out to the huge terrace, with a most astonishing view........

  
Why even an Ivana Trump look alike appeared impressed.

 
 There was cake, of course.

 
  And then all the ladies in their fancy frocks took of their stilettos and began to, well,  dance......

 
 
It grew late. And in my jet-lagged haze it was time to leave.

But through the sea of dancing arms...........

  
...........I managed to see this.

And really...........that was the most important thing. 

A tale of a Persian bride: Part 3

She was quiet as they drove over to the ceremony, lost somewhere in her thoughts. 

The rope of diamonds around her neck..........her emerald ring.......glimmered.

Soon they were there.  Her groom was never far from her.

Upstairs people were waiting.  Waiting for them.  Her dress floated from side to side.  Her satin shoes made a click click against the marble floor.

The ceremony.  Oh, a flutter of Persian poetry and pretty words by those who loved them.  Pictures?  Sadly I have none.  I officiated the wedding, you see.  (Ahem, current job description: humanitarian worker and guesthouse owner by day, wedding ceremony officiant by night.  Or something like that.)

By the time I had my camera back, the seats were all empty.

 

 And the bride was busy getting and giving hugs.

And, of course, responding to requests to see the ring, the beautiful ring........

In the elevator, on the way up to the reception, I watched her through a sea of presents.  This girl who had lived up my street.  The one I had know for decades.... Now married.

I had never seen her so happy. 

Until the reception, of course.  But that's a tale for another day.........

********

PS Anyone coming to Marrakech in the next 2 weeks?  Kind courrier needed!  Please email me at moroccanmaryam[at]yahoo[dot]com