Lovin' & Kissin'

It’s 12th of February today, 2 days away from Valentine’s day.. I am not a sucker for this so-called lover’s day for I feel the entire idea is tremendously overrated. Of course back when I was a teenager, it was a different story altogether. Cards and flowers were must-haves. As you grow older, and perhaps a tad wiser, you learn that Valentine’s Day is not exactly a celebration a good muslim should get all excited over…so all that youthful delight associated with the day kinda gets subdued over the years.

Yet, I feel a wish of ‘I love you’ to a loved one is not about to make me forget my faith so although I don’t go out for Valentine’s day anymore and have long stopped buying cards for my husband, it is still a day where you feel the mood for love, just a lil bit more somehow. And with that, I cannot help but recall a particular Valentine’s Day evening, in 1986 to be exact, out first Valentine’s day together..and yes, that first (err..brief) kiss..he..he..

It’s been 21 years since that first time our lips met..wow, imagine that. And today, millions of kisses later, we’re still together and I must say a whole lot more in love with one another now. Back then you don’t think, at least I never thought you can ever be more in love than you already were. And for the life of me, I never imagined love could ever be so complicated and demanded so much of you. Who would have thought love could be so sweet and yet painful, passionate but at times devoid of any emotion. And despite whatever heartaches and problems life brings you, at the end of the day, the love and support you get out of a relationship will help you make it through it all…God willing.

I am no expert on love but all I can say is this – falling in love is one thing, staying in love takes a lot of work, and with anything else that is associated with work, it takes effort. To me no marriage is ‘made’ in heaven, other than whomever you end up with is fated. But, the rest is up to you. Oh sure, there are bad days, no relationship would be real if there are no bumpy rides. But our love for one another still grows...now more than ever. And as things stand today I am still amazed at how I can still get goosebumps sometimes, and occasionally my heart still skips a beat when I hear his voice. And even after 2 decades and 3 kids later, (with our oldest turning 14 in a couple of months!), we still exchange cheeky jokes and flirt over the phone...

So, here’s to love..and many more years of hugs and kisses…!!

note - obviously the posting of this entry is a couple days late...