Watermelon...a pictorial..

~"For years my wedding ring has done its job. It has led me not into temptation. It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it's time to go home. It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion. It has been a status symbol in the maternity ward."`Erma Bombeck   

There is an Algerian saying (that Omar taught me) that goes.."The luck is in the watermelon."  To which I responded..."that's nice" because really-what else can I say to that? I mean...really...what does that mean?!  It's funny..Omar and I are from such very different places-he from Algeria..and I am a N.Y. girl. Yet here we are living together in Maine.  I used to wonder "How the hell did this happen?" and then we had kids.( I do know how that happened.) 

Let me go back to the beginning...It started 23 years ago in N. Y.  I was managing a muffin shop/cafe and Omar having just arrived from England (he planned to see the states by working his way across them) was looking for a job.  In a twisted turn of events-Omar was hired, but the applications got mixed up and the wrong person was called and given the job in his place.  Thankfully-this person did not work out...very thankfully..because the situation was righted..and Omar eventually wound up working there.  For me-meeting Omar was...something at first sight. I certainly wasn't thinking about relationships..or marriage.  I was an INDEPENDENT woman! I made my own way, did my own thing...lived my own life....And yet?  From the moment I first saw him...I knew...something..I wasn't sure what...just that I needed to be with him...somehow.  We started off as friends.  He was dating someone (she had a mustache)...and I had sworn off dating.  (some past relationships led me to believe that I was better off single-WAY better off-so much so that I hadn't dated in 3 years)  We just enjoyed hanging out together. Until December rolled around.  Omar wanted to see the sights (N.Y.C. is wonderful at Christmas) and his girlfriend wasn't interested.  So, I being the kind and caring individual that I am...promptly jumped on the opportunity offered my companionship.  The rest (including the mustachioed girl friend) was history...

Next week is a big week for us.  There is much celebrating to do.  Twenty years ago Wednesday, I married that man that I met in the muffin shop. Twenty years with the most decent man that I have ever known Omar raises me up.  He keeps me steady...he is my anchor and my launch pad...he keeps me steady...and his love-it encompasses me.  Never have I been so accepted and revered even. He holds me up even when I'm down..dances with me whenever the mood hits us..and always..always we laugh. We have tread some dark places..walked through fire together..and shared some of the most exquisite joys. He is my heart...although in Algeria he would be my kibbda (liver)..personally-I prefer heart but there you go. He is not my other half or better half..he is a whole person unto himself.  Together...together we are pretty damn good. Together we made one of the other reasons for celebrating this week. Fifteen years ago-on the very same day, our wonderful Sam pushed his way into this world.  It was not exactly the most romantic of ways to celebrate an anniversary-but it certainly made it memorable!  He's a great kid-our Sam. Watching him grow into himself has been an adventure..where he was..who he is and where he is going.  We could not be prouder. He takes after his Papa.  that should tell you what kind of man he will become.  Some people have said that I am lucky for having Omar. I don't know about that.  I will say though, that I am blessed. Blessed for having a partner like Omar, and the amazing kids that we share.  If luck really is in the watermelon-well then, I have quite the patch...and they are all good. 

There we are in front of my fathers fireplace with best man and justice of the peace
I was (as you can tell by my blotchy skin-and face...TERRIFIED!!!!!

much more relaxed...puffed sleeves! What was I thinking!

 

Our first dance- to Nina Simone's "My baby don't care"

Happy 5th wedding anniversary AND welcome to the world Sam!

me and Sam today...he's grown a bit!

Me and Omar...twenty years later and still going strong.