10th Year Wedding Anniversary

Friday June 22 was our 10th Wedding Anniversary. We got married twice. The first time was at the justice of the peace in Austin on April 21, 2002. Then we had the big proper church wedding and party in France on June 22, 2002. On our first wedding anniversary, Xavier set up a surprise day out at the spa with just the two of us at Hotel Des Arts right here in Dar Bouazza. It was lovely. I figured I had to do something grand for the anniversary on June 22. Neither of us are big gift givers, so I didn't really care to buy anything. I wracked my brain as to what I could give him? He always said I never write to him. So, I thought, what better than a love poem? I did some research online and most love poems are totally cheesy and sappy, something I'm not, so Thursday, I started free writing. On Friday, friend's of ours were hosting a good-bye party for Ron who will be leaving Morocco since his 2 year contract is up. I asked Marina if I could surprise Xavier and read the poem aloud at the party to him. So, she was in on the surprise.

Xavier was very happy about the poem, though at first he seemed quite nervous. I asked him if I could publish it on my blog, he gave his blessing. Here is is:

My love poem to you

Who could have thought

10 years would come to pass

and here we are, together

still loving at last

through our love, we've grown a family

of five

here we are, thinking of adding one more

my God, how ever will we survive?

your hair so dark

your eyes so brown

Your heart beats in my chest

I love you dearest

I'm obviously obsessed

You always say I never write

of that I am sincerely contrite

Since this anniversary is a big one

I didn't want to be outdone

You took us to a spa in april

now on our anniversary, you're in rabat

and being away, I thought

to do something momentous, I ought

and being me, cheap and simple

I wanted to keep it rather nimble

here we are, traveling true

from paris

to austin

to dresden

to munich

to gréoux

to Casablanca

our hearts always create something new

I love you tenderly, dearest and true

I love how you always cut your hair the same way

and now that your beard is getting some grey

my love's madness, if you only knew

I want to give all my heart to you

I love your beautiful olive skin

the beauty of your grin

how you turn golden brown in the sun

the way you touch me...

baby, you're number one

no other can give me such delight

just thinking of you

mmmmmm, what a sight

hold me close, hold me near

whisper sweet nothings in my ear

tickle me, kiss me

make me laugh and beam

I love you more than I could ever dream

no other love could grow to greater height

I think of you both day and night

as you tug playfully at my hair

or nibble gently on my ear

your humor makes me laugh

though I don't always understand

still I think you're quite grand

it's because you're so brilliant you see

that you fill me with such glee

though this poem may not be Yeats

I've tried my best

to keep it short and sweet

but what I really want to say

though I'm not pressed

is

babe, you're the best!

I love you!

happy 10^th anniversary!