Don't Be Afraid to Add Some Spice

      

Yesterday, Saturday 3/29, I co-officiated Marisol and Jonathan's wedding in Acapulco, Mexico with Padré Jesús Quirce Andrés, L.C., Rector of the Universidad Anahuac. We officiated the entire ceremony in Spanish. My personal remarks in Spanish follow, along with a translation to Englsih below them:   

Lo que me gusta de Marisol y Jonathan es que son personas profundas e inteligentes que viven a través de ciertas sencillas pero profundas ideas pero tanto como individuos y como pareja . 

Ellos saben que en este mundo material en el que vivimos, las cosas son importantes, pero las experiencias importan mucho más. Por lo tanto hay que saborearlas.

Ellos entienden que las identidades religiosas y culturales son importantes, pero el enfoque de la religión ha de dirigirse en ser una buena persona. Por lo tanto , debemos canalizar nuestros sentimientos religiosos en hacer del mundo un lugar major. 

Se dan cuenta de que lo que los mexicanos nos han enseñado a los estadounidenses, que las buenas relaciones como la buena comida son mejores picante que insípida. Por lo tanto, ellos no temen por las diferencias. Ellos las aprovechan para mejorar su amor.

Así que ahí los tienen, saborear sus experiencias, hace del mundo un lugar mejor y logra que no le temamos a un poco de picante en la vida. No es una mala receta para una vida feliz juntos.

What I like about Marisol and Jonathan is that they are deep and smart people who live by a few simple yet profound ideas as individuals and as a couple.

They know that in this very material world we live in, things do matter, but experiences matter much more. Therefore we must savor them.

They understand that religious and cultural identities matter, but religion's focus must be on being a good person. Therefore, we must channel our religious feelings into making the world a better place.

They realize that what you Mexicans have taught us Americans, that good relationships like good food are better spicy rather than bland. Therefore, they don't shy away from their differences. They harness them to enhance their love.

So there you have it, savor your experiences, make the world a better place and add don't be afraid of some spice. Not a bad recipe for a happy life together.

A Love That is Deep and Profound

Yesterday afternoon, Saturday 3/22, Reverend Nicole Bates and I co-officiated Emmaline and Elliott's wedding at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens in Fort Worth, Texas.

In the Jewish wedding liturgy we make references to Adam and Eve. Implied through these references is the hope that the couple's love for each other should be so strong, that it is as if to her he is the only man in the world and to him she is the only woman in the world.

When you listen to the words that Emmaline and Elliott say about each other, you understand that that is the emotional space they are in. Talk about a good old fashioned love story. Feel free to close your eyes, and really listen, as in their own words they describe their love so vividly.

Elliott wrote this as a text four months into their relationship, and he still has this on his phone, "Your love gives me strength I never knew I had. Confidence I never thought I’d feel. And joy I never knew existed. You make me want to be a better person. You make me want to try new things. You make life so wonderful. My reason for living was to find you, and I thank God for it every single day."

Emmaline describes her Elliott and their love thus, "He is my everything. We truly are one together and I know we will be by each other’s side through anything and everything. He completes my soul and has made me the person that I am today... We have tackled any obstacle that has come our way and I love the hope and confidence that gives me for our future together. At the risk of sounding cliché, my love for him is deeper than I can even put into words."

Wow. Isn't that beautiful? Isn't that what this is all about? This is the type of love so deep, so profound, that it is contagious and inspiring. Emmaline and Elliott, thank you so much for that.