I’m not sure when it started. It must have been about a year ago. I woke up one morning, looked at Nagib and proclaimed, “You are the star in my sky”. He smiled. So, the next day, I tell him, “You are the sunshine of my life”. I got another positive reaction. Bolstered with new confidence, I tried another one the next morning. “You are the water to my ocean”. And that night I hit him with a couple more: “You are the spring in my step” and “You are the glaze on my donut.” Nagib is not necessarily the lovey-dovey kind. Overt expressions of love embarrass him. So he takes my dramatic statements and evaluates each one intellectually. Sometimes he accepts them, sometimes he questions them and occasionally he will surprise me with one of his own. This has now become part of our new tradition. And if I get out of bed without making another bold, crazy statement, Nagib will look at me and say, “So?” That is code for me to quickly think of something to say.
Today is our dating anniversary. 34 years since we decided to be “boyfriend and girlfriend” (and 32 1/2 years since we have been married). It was a cold November 20th day at York University. We were at Founders College when Nagib asked if we could “go steady”. It took me a whole 5 minutes to say yes. It was 3:20 pm. Every year, we celebrate this dating anniversary and race to call each other exactly at this time, regardless of where we are on that day.
I like everything about Nagib. His witty sense of humour, his capacity to care deeply, his generosity, his desire for patience and moderation, his interest in geography, current events, sports, conspiracy theories and extra-terrestrial activities. He is simply the most interesting person I know! And out of 7 billion people in the world, he and I found each other. We committed early in our relationship that we would make time and space to be together and put each other first. And we have consciously tried to do this over the years through good and difficult times. I think this is the key to a successful relationship.
Today, I pledge my love to you again, my love. You are the love of my life and the beat to my heart. You are my everything, my one and only. I want to hold your hand, listen to your stories, cuddle with you, laugh at your jokes and lay in your arms for always. Happiest dating anniversary!
