Sunday Song: "Everything" by Michael Buble + Love & Marriage

"And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times, it's you, it's you, you make me sing. You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."
- Everything, Michael Buble

When Jason and I got married - one year ago today - this was the song we had our first dance to, so now every time I hear it, it makes my heart happy.

I looked back through all of our wedding pictures and through the masses of cards we received today. I wanted to write a post about what I have learned during this first year, but I think the message in a card Jason's cousin gave us sums up what our marriage is and continues to aspire to be...I wanted to keep it electronically so we can continue to reflect on its meaning.

How to make a beautiful life together
Let love be your shelter.
The world is noisy and confusing at times, so make a home that is a haven, a peaceful place where you can listen to your hearts and savor the comfortable closeness you share.

No matter how busy your days may be, make time for yourselves.
Hold hands.
Unwind.
Surprise each other.
Find little chances every day to show you're grateful to be partners, to be friends, to be married.

Life is not perfect.
You will make mistakes, but each time you meet life's challenges together, you will grow wiser, stronger, and surer of your love.

Cherish your yesterdays.
They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life.
Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs whenever you look back. (Look back often!)

Look forward, too.
Dream together.
Plan together.
Make promises to keep.
Believe in your tomorrows because tomorrows are what forever is made of.

To make love last, put each other first.
That is the way to make a beautiful life together, the kind of life you both deserve so much.

I thank God everyday for allowing me to meet my soul mate. One year down, many decades ahead!

Love at 90

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I had to post this amazing heartfelt story from The Oakland Press in honor of the lovey day...

Love at 90

Saturday, February 14, 2009

By CAROL HOPKINS

The Oakland Press

Robert “Bob” Porter was having his usual lunch at the Clarkston Senior Center seven years ago when he spotted a newcomer at one of the tables.

“I said to people there, ‘Who’s that cute gal?’ ” recalled Porter, who was then 83.

Porter — a widower — didn’t speak to Treva Chivers that first day.

“I was too bashful,” he said.

But the two senior citizens did begin dating and eventually married, proving this Valentine’s Day that you can fall hard for someone no matter what your age.

They now happily share an apartment at the Inn at Cass Lake in Waterford Township.

Treva Chivers was born in Illinois but when she was 14, her family moved to Texas.She married at 16 and she and her husband, Norman, had four children. She was a housewife and for a decade worked as a nurse’s aide. When one of her sons moved to Michigan in the 1950s, she and Norman followed. Later in life, the couple moved to Florida. When Norman became very ill, they returned to Michigan to be near their son, Stephen, and his family in Clarkston. Her husband died in 2001.

Robert Porter was born in Pontiac and worked for years as a die designer for Chrysler, making fenders and hoods.He and wife Edith had two children, Ken and Connie. The couple lived in Florida for 23 years. They moved back to Michigan to be near family. After Edith died in 2000, Robert had his own apartment in Clarkston.

Then came the fateful day at the senior center. Robert eventually asked Treva out for a date and they began courting. Treva lived in her son Stephen’s basement apartment in Clarkston.

One day when Robert took Treva home in his car, he turned to her and asked her for a kiss.“I told him I hadn’t kissed in so long,” Treva, now 96, said. Robert, now 90, remembered the day.“I told her, ‘Let’s practice!’” he said. While they were kissing, Robert’s foot slipped off the accelerator and the car rolled into the garage, damaging the door.“I jammed on the brake,” Robert said, a big smile spreading across his face.The kiss was worth it, he said.“Look what I got for it,” he said, glancing at his petite wife.

The two dated for a year and married in May 2003. Treva wore a long dress for the occasion.Treva’s daughter-in-law, Debbe Chivers, was one of the attendees.“It was wonderful,” she said of the wedding at Clarkston Community Church. “We had a small reception and all the church members attended.”

The couple moved to their Waterford complex in 2006. They are often seen holding hands and walking arm in arm.

“I love to kiss her,” Robert said.

Each day, they sit side by side and complete a crossword puzzle together.

“She is a little better than I am,” said Robert about their puzzle-solving skills.

Family keeps track of them. Robert has three grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Treva has five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Their advice to the lovelorn is simple.“Be honest and love each other,” Robert said.

Treva, a self-described optimist, admits she wasn’t even considering marriage when she met Robert.

She smiled. “But when you meet someone and fall in love and they tell you all these wonderful things, you change your mind.”

Sunday Songs: Songs of LOVE

So sitting in church yesterday I learned it was World Marriage Day. How fitting, considering I was hoping to write a post of Sunday songs full of love in anticipation for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday....

During this particular mass, the priest was renewing the vows of couples that have been married for 20+ years. They went through the different milestones (20 years, 30 years, etc.) and at the end, the entire congregation was surprised when he announced a couple that has spent 71 years of their life together. 71 years! I started thinking about that...That means they were married around 1938. I can't even begin to imagine how much they have experienced together. And to me, that is absolutely amazing. In a world that sometimes feels filled with hatred, divorce and infidelity, I am glad there are couples like this defying the odds.

This playlist, full of some of my all-time favorite love songs, is dedicated to that couple, whatever their names may be...

1. At Last, Etta James

2. Cowboy Take Me Away, Dixie Chicks

3. Out of My League, Stephen Speaks

4. Ribbon in the Sky, Stevie Wonder

5. Everything, Michael Buble

6. Love Of My Life, Dave Matthews & Santana

7. You Make It Easy, Air

8. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, Lauryn Hill

9. Forever, Ben Harper

10. Green Eyes, Coldplay

11.Grow Old With Me, Postal Service

12. I Cross My Heart, George Strait

13. If I Ain't Got You, Alicia Keys

14. Johnny & June, Heidi Newfield

15. God Bless The Broken Road, Rascal Flatts

16. Somersault, Zero 7

17. The Luckiest, Ben Folds Five

18. Me & You, Kenny Chesney

19. More Than Words, Extreme

20. My Favourite Book, Stars

21. When I'm 64, The Beatles

22. Sleeping To Dream, Jason Mraz

23. Stand By Me, Ben E. King

24. Ring of Fire, Johnny Cash

The Treasure of Love

Jason and I received a beautiful wedding card (it's only four months late!) the other day and I liked the darn cheesy poem so much I've decided to transcribe it on here so I can have it forever:

The Treasure of Love

Sooner or later we begin to understand that

love is more than verses on valentines and romance in the movies.

We begin to know that love is here and now,

real and true, the most important thing in our lives.

For love is the creator of our favorite

memories and the foundation of our fondest dreams.
Love is a promise that is always kept,

a fortune that can never be spent,

a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places.

And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all

one known only by those who love.

- Anonymous

Show the LOVE this Valentine's Day

Thanks to over-the-top commercialization, February 14 has become a day filled with chocolates, diamonds and flowers (not that I'm complaining). But, with all these material items, the question becomes do you really need to be in a relationship with someone to celebrate all the wonderful things about the day named for Saint Valentine? I think the answer is no.

To me, the day is simply about loving each other, in any/all forms. When you really think about it, love comes in so many different packages... Friend love. Pet love. Old and gray love. Gay love. Internet love. Love of country. Love for God. Parent-child love. All that matters today is that you show some LOVE!

Here's some cool media points I've come across today that cover the topic of love in a few different forms...

Cyber Love: Internet love really can happen. So many wonderful people meet their perfect match online, after all, the bar is no good for meeting people and with work consuming our lives, how else can you meet potential love interests? Read this article from NY Times magazine called "Cybercourting" and maybe you'll be willing to give cyber love a shot. The story is wonderfully written and sets the stage for love in the current day-in-age.

Pet Love: WXYZ, (channel 7 to you Detroiters), is hosting a telethon for the Michigan Humane Society today until 11 p.m. Personally, I think that was a genius marketing move on their part. So many people don't have a significant person in their life, but have nothing but love for their pet. So, instead of wasting money on pointless confections, you can donate to any amazing organization benefiting our furry friends!

Old-Fashioned 'Wrap Me In Your Arms and Whisper Sweet Nothings' Love: The Detroit Free Press ran an amazing story called "Lasting love has no secrets" which dishes some marriage advice from two adorable elderly couples. (I can only hope Jason and I are that blessed when we're that old!) Read it and prepare to be touched.

Parent-Child Love -- A Bond That Can't Be Broken: KHAS-TV out of Nebraska shows parent-child love in a segment about a couple who loves their daughter with cerebral palsy more than life itself -- even though she can't verbally communicate with them. It's truly beautiful to see how love can bring to light what matters most in life.

Believe me, if I could afford enough stamps to send a valentine to the world, I would. For now, do me a favor and show a little love today, no matter what the form.