What is Love?
It’s almost one of the most festive times in the year again - let us talk about Love.
It is best to illustrate with a story from The Odyssey - which Queen Penelope spent 20 years waiting for her king Odysseus to return from the Trojan war, when almost everyone around her believed Odysseus has died or would never return. She waited in faith, in loyalty, with wit and perseverance. She stayed faithful and devoted to the marriage while fending off suitors with intelligent plans all over those years. When Odysseus finally came back and she was truly certain that was him,
“Now from his breast into his eyes the ache of longing mounted, and he wept at last, his dear wife, clear and faithful, in his arms, longed for as the sunwarmed earth is longed for by a swimmer spent in rough water where his ship went down under Poseidon’s blows, gale winds and tons of sea… she too rejoiced, her gaze upon her husband, her white arms round him pressed as though forever.” (Odyssey, XXIII, Lines 259-267)
The beginning of marriage is usually celebrated by a stream of amazing events - engagement photos, wedding celebrations, friends and family parties. However, when we walk along the years of marriage, it is just normal in life that we would encounter different kinds of issues and problems and difficult times, when love is ‘tested’ and ‘challenged’. Marriage has never been an end goal in a relationship - just like any plant, we have to nurture it with time, commitment and last but not least, lots of love.
Doing wonderful celebrations and creating unforgettable memories offer you excellent reminders on the love and promises we vow to each other for the rest of our lives. One of the phrases I wrote in my own vows was,
“It is an active choice to love each other every single day. I hope by the time when our hair turns silver, and when we look back, you will still think marrying me is the best decision you’ve made and you will still squeeze m hand and take me to wherever you go.”
Hope this is great advice for all the lovebirds out there ! - either you’re planning to get married or have been married for some time :)
