May 4, 2011

My darling husband Paul,

On this our wedding day I wish to give you a small present I feel is symbolic of many things about you, about us.  

The rubies represent your birthstone, and some of the many things I love and adore about you. The color speaks of your love and passion, something I have known since our first kiss.

The red glow comes from within, an eternal flame, a symbol of our everlasting love.

When choosing a wedding gift it had to speak to me of you. The rubies did, but the presence of the abalone shell confirmed it to my heart.  Abalone not only represents the sea you love (and have lived on and with for years) but also speaks of fire, identity and of your self-definition.  It is the ruler of personal power, will, autonomy and metabolism.  It speaks to me of a spontaneity of vitality, a strength of purpose, and of your unlimited generosity.  It whispers of complete satisfaction and contentment, things which do not need shouting to hear.  Abalone represents a sense of morality and complete balance.  I believe we both brought this into our marriage.  If either of us lacks something the other fills it in naturally.  It gives us our strength as a couple.

Abalone also is used by athletes to help build and protect muscle tissue.  I so appreciate the care you take with your body.  I am learning from you.  You have shown me the body truly is a temple, and I worship yours as the alter to my belief in all good things.  

As for the knife itself...to some it may not speak of love, but to me it is symbolic of how your love carefully carved a place within my heart with patience and understanding in a time and place others would have stabbed away at trying to rid me of my past.  Not you.  You have encouraged me to love and honor my memories of the life I had before there was you.  You let me speak of it without censure until one day I realized the love I feel now is for you.  What I had  before I will never have again, I don’t want to repeat.  With you I am allowed to be me all the time.  There is nothing we can’t get through  by being together.  Today is the first day of the rest of our lives and I am joyful to be taking the first step with you.

I love you with all of my heart.  Happy Wedding Day!!

Your Wife,

Sheila XXXXXX

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 I'm thrilled to share my news with you.  Thank you all for the kindness, understanding and support enabling me to feel whole again, capable of loving and moving on.  I will be forever grateful for your friendships.