HAPPI

first photo by Nikaela (a person I have never met, but admire through her beautiful photos and words)
second photo taken in Chelsea, Quebec, on our 5 year anniversary

“Wonderful a fistful of snow in the mouths
of men suffering summer heat
Wonderful the spring winds
for mariners who long to set sail
And more wonderful still the single sheet
over two lovers on a bed.

I like quoting ancient verses when the occasion is apt. I remember most of what I hear, and I listen all day but sometimes I do not know how to fit everything together. When this happens I cling to words or phrases which seem to ring true”
- John Berger, To The Wedding

That feeling when you open a book and love it from the very first page. For Christmas, I asked for books. I knew, though, that they’d be staring at me from my bookcase all semester, tempting me to ignore my assigned readings. The day after my last exam, I had to pick which one I wanted to start my summer with. I didn’t pick this one, but today seemed like a pretty apt occasion to open it up, if only for the title…

Still doesn’t feel real, but Jo proposed to me on Sunday. I’ve been walking around the last two days holding back uncontrollable smiling. Never thought anything could make us feel closer, but I think it’s happened. It feels like it did 6 years ago, in the beginning. Chills running through my skin at the touch of his hand in public, the accidental grazing of feet under a table sending an electrical current through to the tips of my fingers. It’s an incredibly personal feeling and yet one that is magnified when sharing it with all the other loves in your life. Both of us agree that the best has been breaking the news to each of our friends and our families. I’ve never seen so much excitement from my family ever - and they are quite excitable. They all jumped up and screamed at the news - in a volume that could only be expected from a group of italians. My nonna burst into tears on the spot, ran inside and whipped out a tray of champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne in a matter of seconds. I couldn’t stop laughing at the reaction but have never felt so close to them.