Share Your Favourite Love Poem

Love. Heart pumping, butterfly inducing, soul warming love.

The Beatles got it right when they said all you need is love. It's inspired some of the greatest stories, songs, and movies in the history of time. It's the burning bright sun in the sky. It's that one twinkling star against a black backdrop. It's infectious.

The closer we come to our wedding day, the more emersed I am into the world of love, becoming completely inspired by it. The only hard part is, there's so much of it out there. On my to-do list right now? Searching for readings for the ceremony. I've discovered pieces that are so beautiful but just, not quite there, you know?

So today I'd thought we'd do something a little fun and share some of our favourites! A poem, story, passage, quote... dig deep into that gorgeous brain library of yours and share what gets your heart fluttering.

Here's mine...

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

When something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.

There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever.

Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face.

In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do.

Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.

You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life." Bob Marley

***
Isn't it so beautiful and honest? It really captures what loving somebody is all about. It's the little things, the things that mean the world to you. And the truth is, loving somebody completely is the most terrifying and yet exhilarating thing we could ever do. All we have to do is take the risk and have faith in our decisions. In our love.

Gives me goosebumps!

Your turn! I can't wait to read some of your favourites.

twitter - instagram - pinterest - bloglovin' - email

Being A Bride: Three Months Out

When it comes to weddings, I immediately think of how much time, energy, planning, and money goes into orchestrating the perfect day. The pressures to make everything "just right". The never-ending Pinterest boards, magazines, and options! So many options!

I must confess - before getting engaged, I never dreamt about what my wedding would be like. I always imagined myself as a wife but never as a bride. After Sebastian put a ring on it, you can imagine my shock when I signed up on The Knot only to discover I had 179 things on my to-do list. One hundred and seventy nine to-dos.

I kind of went from elated, over-the-moon joy to my stomach flying into my throat, jaw dropping to the floor, while my eyes simultaneously poppd out of their sockets.

Yeah, a little something like that.

There's been a lot of new (and stunning!) faces around here lately, so I'll fill you in on the juicy details if you've missed out...

Last June, Sebastian and I journeyed to Europe with family and friends. We partied in Poland during the Euro Cup, I met Sebastian's extended-family for the first time, and I learned how to handle all those vodka shots. We then hopped on a plane over to Rome just the two of us. We wined, dined, and explored, nearly losing our feet in the process. It was a whirlwind. It was magic. It was so much more than I ever could have expected. And, he waited until just four days before the end of our Euro trip before getting down on one knee and proposing in the city he was born in.

In the beginning of the planning process, it was a challenge to really narrow down on what we wanted. There's so many things that I/we thought we wanted, but really didn't. At times, we got swept up in the circus of everything, only to realize it wasn't what we truly wanted.

Now, we're just under three months away from hopping on a plane and flying down to the Dominican to get hitched! Sometimes I just have to pinch myself because it doesn't feel real. And you know what the weirdest thing is? I'm not stressed.

Say whaaat?

For real. Deciding to have a destination wedding was hands-down the best decision we could have made. They do everything. Of course, there's small things like favors, stationary, and small decor that you bring with you to make it personal, but for the most part, it's taken care of.

After seeing my enormous to-do list, seeing how stressful it's been for friends, reading through all the wedding resources, I sat there the other night, just thinking about it all. And you know what I did? I cried. Why wasn't I stressed out? Was I doing it wrong? Am I not doing enough? I'm not even joking. I was getting emotional because I wasn't stressed out. Backwards, huh? (That self-doubt is always ready to pounce, I tell you.)

Whether you're planning to board a plane, or tie the knot locally, here's some things that have helped me along the way...

1. KNOW THAT IT WILL ALL WORK OUT. Get it in that pretty little brain of yours! The one constant in life is that it's always willing to throw out some (major) curveballs. Don't get worked up over it, just know that this is life's way of bringing you something different. Think of it as a juicy present. Sometimes it's the unexpected messes that bring everything together to create perfection.

2. BREATHE. PLEASE, JUST BREATHE. Feeling overwhelmed? Walk. Away. From. The. Computer. Put down the phone! Get some perspective. Coordinating to get together a big group of your family and friends can prove to be challenging. Don't sweat the small stuff. Take some time for yourself and take a few deep breathes. You know what? Let's do it right now. Breathe in through your nose and count to 4, then exhale and count to 6.

Inhale for..1...2...3...4...

Exhale for...1...2...3...4...5...6...

And again,

1...2...3...4...

1...2...3...4...5...6...

Doesn't that feel good?!

3. ASK FOR HELP. You are strong and fiercely independent. It's completely natural for you to want to do everything yourself. But giiirl, take it easy! You are surrounded by love. That huge group of love doesn't want you getting all crazy. No need to be she-woman if you don't need to. Delegate. Ask for help. Talk it out with someone.

4. SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. You're getting married! And you know what? That's pretty freaking incredible. You have come into this life and found your soulmate. High five to that! In 20-30-40+ years from now, you're not going to look back on it all and think, "But it wasn't as pretty as all those Pinterest boards." "I wish I had bought _________."

It's not about pleasing everyone but yourself, it's not about draining your bank account, it's not about comparison, and it's certainly not worth sacrificing your health and/or sanity over it.

How about we make a pact? Let's all shift our focus back to what weddings are really about. It's two lives uniting together through love. Wicked awesome love powerful enough to move mountains! The kind of love that's so rare to find, but when you do, you'll do anything to protect it. THAT'S what it's all about. And let me just say, it's pretty damn beautiful.

Are you in the midst of wedding planning? How's it going? (Or are you already married? If so, I'd love to hear any wedding tips you might have for me!)

P.S. In case you missed it, here's a look at our engagement photos.

Images: All images were taken from my own Wedding Inspiration pinboard. Find them here. xx

twitter - instagram - pinterest - bloglovin' - email

found: Intimacy... In Your Fridge

When I think of the word intimacy a flood of images rush to my head. A couple sharing a gentle kiss, two friends sharing their deepest darkest secrets late into the night, a hug, a touch, an exchange of words, a sparkling connection between two people.

For New York based photographer Stephanie de Rouge, it all started with a fascination for big cities and the people who live in them. Observing them in their element; how they work, interact, walk, and mourn. The inner workings of what makes people tick.

From there she started out with a series that documented various types of people in one of their most private spaces, the bedroom. Only to find out that "building walls don't talk". It lacked the intimacy she was so desperately yearning for. Until one day when she was shooting a client in their home, opened their refrigerator, and she realized that's where the answers were hiding.

In her words:

My approach was quite simple: make an appointment for a portrait shoot and once the shoot is over, and without my subject being aware of my project, ask them permission to complete the human portrait with a portrait of their refrigerator…. Oddly enough, for the first time in three years of shooting this project, I’ve been refused to access numerous fridges. As if the mayonnaise and the chicken leftovers found in a fridge could be more intimate than a bedroom.
From there, the next question quickly arose: Could the fridge be the mirror of the soul?

Since launching the In Your Fridge series, she's opened more than 45 fridges throughout New York and Paris and captured a different side of the subject's daily life. It's candid, honest, and provides a twist on the idea of portraits. From whole organics, frozen dinners, liquids-only, to dolls, clothes, and love notes.

She hopes to extend the adventure to another 19 megacities in the world, “to complete the map of a playful and poetic universe that murmurs endlessly the secrets of the citizens of the world.”

The full series can be found here on her website.

It just goes to show that a little out-of-the-box thinking can lead you to an entirely new discovery and show you things you've never begun to imagine. (Who knew?!) 

What's in your fridge? What do you think it says about you? (I think I'll go tidy mine now...)

twitter - instagram - pinterest - bloglovin' - email

words: What Makes Me Feel Beautiful

I recently read an article online entitled "What Makes Me Feel Beautiful" where six writers shared their sources of inspiration. One writer, Anne Roiphe, wrote of her late husband's words to her and it was so touching and beautiful.
I hope that you all find her words as inspirational as I do. After all, love is all about the simple things two people share together. Those little things you do to make each other full of happiness. Those small words that hold more meaning than anyone could ever imagine.

"It was mid-December of 2005. I don’t know why he said it. I don’t know if a shadow had fallen across him, something appalling he saw out of the corner of his eye. I don’t know if it was just coincidence or intuition that prompted him, but about a week before my seemingly healthy 82-year-old husband suddenly died, he emerged from the kitchen ready to go to his office, his face clean-shaven, his eyes shining, smiling shyly, holding the copy of the Anthony Trollope book he was rereading, and said to me, "You have made me very happy. You know that you have made me a happy man." There I stood in my work outfit, blue jeans and a T-shirt. There I stood with my white hair and my wrinkles and the face I was born with, although now much creased by time, and I felt beautiful.

"What?" I said. I wanted him to repeat the words. "You heard me," he said and put on his coat and drew his earmuffs out of his pocket. "Say it again," I said. He said it again. "You’ve made me happy." We had been married 39 years. We had held hands waiting in hospital corridors while a desperately ill child struggled to breathe and thankfully recovered. We had made financial mistakes together. We had spent hours out in fishing boats. We had raised the children and then second-guessed our choices. We had stood shoulder to shoulder at graduations and weddings and we were well-worn, but still I had made him happy, and I was proud and flushed with the warmth of his words.

I know I looked beautiful that morning. Perhaps not to the young man holding his toddler in his arms who rode the elevator with me; perhaps not to the friend I met for lunch, a true believer in Botox; perhaps not to passersby on the street; but I knew it for a certainty. I was beautiful.

I don’t believe that inner beauty is sufficient in this cruel world. That’s the pap one tells a child. I don’t believe that positive thinking improves your skin tone or that loving or being loved changes the shape of your nose or restores the thickness and color of hair, but I do know that there is a way of being beautiful, even as age takes its toll, that has something to do with the spirit filling with joy, something to do with the union with another human being, with the sense of having done well at something enormously important, like making happy a man who has made you happy often enough.

Ten days after that morning conversation, my husband and I returned from a concert and dinner with friends and walked down our windy block toward our apartment house when suddenly he stumbled and fell and died within minutes. As I waited for the ambulance, I remembered his words, a beauty potion I would take with me into the rest of my life."

P.S. Anne's memoir "Epilogue" is next on my list of books to read (I've heard amazing things!)

(Photo via Le Love)

words: How I Know I Love You

The word love is short and sweet, but what comes with it is a heap of emotion and meaning. It's not a word to be used lightly. Love is complicated. It can be the best damn thing in the world, and at times can leave us with that heart-wrenching feeling in our guts.

This article that I'm about to share with you embodies those feelings. It's raw, beautiful, and honest. Anybody who has ever been in love can relate to this on some level. Sebastian sent this to me, with these simple words: "Wow. This is so...accurate."

It's appropriately titled, "How I Know I Love You".

I know I love you because I want to get you soup when you’re sick. Not only do I want to get it for you, I want to make it for you so you can eat something made with love instead of with crushed insects and preservatives. I know I love you because I want to slap anyone who hurts you, even if it’s your boss. I want to hold you when you’re having a nightmare and kiss the spot that hurts when you bump into something. I know I love you because I want you to be healthy even when you’re not sick, and that’s why I keep bugging you to change your crappy eating ways even though I know you’re over hearing about it.

I know I love you because...

Connected, but alone?

It's no question that technology is one of the greatest things introduced into our lives. It has changed the way we live forever. It makes our lives just a little bit better, easier, and keeps people from losing touch with each other. If I had a dime for every time I've overhead somebody say "What did people do before Google?", I could fill an Olympic sized swimming pool.

Technology can also be our greatest downfall. And if you have the time, take a moment out of your day to watch this video. I've mentioned my love of TED talks in the past, and this particular video is up there among my favourites. Why? Because it makes you think. And it doesn't just make you think about some arbitrary subject that doesn't really affect you, it makes you think about the way you live your life.

Human relationships are rich, and they're messy, and they're demanding and we clean them up with technology.

And when we do, one of the things that can happen is that we sacrifice conversations for mere connection.

We short-change ourselves.

We're developing the habit of using our cellphones as a crutch. Myself included. Anytime I've had a free moment to myself, I use it to catch up on social networking sites - waiting in line at the checkout, the doctor's office, the bus stop, waiting for a friend. We use our phones in awkward social situations, and even when we're just spending time with friends. It's an extension of us.

But are we sacrificing our relationships because of it? Or worse yet - ourselves? We've become use to forming thoughts in 140 characters or less that the idea of having an actual real conversation is daunting.

How many times have you gotten together with a group of friends and looked around only to notice every person you're with is attached to their phone? While texting, we have the chance to choose our words wisely and even go back and edit what we're sending. A conversation happens in real-time, and we lose the control over what comes out of our mouths. Our emotions run rampant and that loss of control is scary.

We're expecting more and more from technology and less from each other. And it has to change. For the sake of our friends, spouses, and each other. Because when you connect on a level that isn't so superficial, that is when we really find ourselves.

As much as I see this shift happening in the way we socialize with each other, the importance of being alone is just as valuable. When was the last time you sat alone with your thoughts? I don't mean sat alone and watched TV, surfed the net, or even listened to music. I mean, totally and completely alone. 

I think the need to fill our days with "busyness" - tasks, goals, chores, errands, etc comes from the pressure to do everything. My generation in particular is especially ambitious. We want to do it all and we want to do it right now. Whenever we have a spare moment, we're searching for ways to fill it. We can never just "be". We've started developing ways to fill the void of loneliness. But we need to start thinking of being alone as a good thing, and make room for it. By teaching ourselves and future generations that being alone isn't important is only setting all of us up to feel dependent and lonely.

A great tip from the video is a simple one that each and every one of us can use - create sacred spaces and reclaim them for conversation. Whether it's the kitchen or the living room. Sebastian and I have even started setting up a day where put away technology and focus just on each other.

It's time we stop removing ourselves from our own feelings by going into our phones. It's time to be present in our daily lives. Turn off that television program, put down your phones, and turn to the person next to you and talk to them. Talk about your dreams, talk about life, hell, talk about anything.

Make this life the life we can love.

Just some thoughts on this rainy Monday afternoon. :)



words: Advice From a Father to his Son

Have you guys heard of the website Letters of Note? It's full of old letters, postcards, memos, and telegrams that have been saved over the years and are now being shared with the world. It's so incredibly fascinating. You'll find gems like the letters written to Diane Keaton from her friend, Woody Allen. Words by Keith Richards written to his aunt just three months before the Rolling Stones played their first gig. The subject of plagiarism - written by Mark Twain to Helen Keller when she was accused of that very same thing. And author Kurt Vonnegut writes to his family in 1945 about his capture and survival as a prisoner of war.

It's a window into the past - what life was like, what was important, the issues that people faced - some of which are the same issues we face today. But undoubtedly, the letters that can be found here will move and inspire you.

To date there are over 750 letters being shared, much like this one I'm about to share with you. In June of 1971, just days before Ronald Reagan's son, Michael, got married, the future U.S. President sent him a touching letter of advice...

Dear Mike:

Enclosed is the item I mentioned (with which goes a torn up IOU). I could stop here but I won't.

You've heard all the jokes that have been rousted around by all the "unhappy marrieds" and cynics. Now, in case no one has suggested it, there is another viewpoint. You have entered into the most meaningful relationship there is in all human life. It can be whatever you decide to make it.

Some men feel their masculinity can only be proven if they play out in their own life all the locker-room stories, smugly confident that what a wife doesn't know won't hurt her. The truth is, somehow, way down inside, without her ever finding lipstick on the collar or catching a man in the flimsy excuse of where he was till three A.M., a wife does know, and with that knowing, some of the magic of this relationship disappears. There are more men griping about marriage who kicked the whole thing away themselves than there can ever be wives deserving of blame. There is an old law of physics that you can only get out of a thing as much as you put in it. The man who puts into the marriage only half of what he owns will get that out. Sure, there will be moments when you will see someone or think back to an earlier time and you will be challenged to see if you can still make the grade, but let me tell you how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn't take all that much manhood. It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music. If you truly love a girl, you shouldn't ever want her to feel, when she sees you greet a secretary or a girl you both know, that humiliation of wondering if she was someone who caused you to be late coming home, nor should you want any other woman to be able to meet your wife and know she was smiling behind her eyes as she looked at her, the woman you love, remembering this was the woman you rejected even momentarily for her favors.

Mike, you know better than many what an unhappy home is and what it can do to others. Now you have a chance to make it come out the way it should. There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.

Love,

Dad

P.S. You'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day.

***

I don't know about you, but it makes me want to pick up a pen and paper and send my own letters, the old-fashioned way. Seems much more authentic, don't you think?

(Photo; Le Love)