This is a photo of me at our civil union, sitting with my Grandmother, who is still staunchly independent and about to turn 98 in a few days.
I cannot believe that 11 years has passed since M and I said "I do" on a stormy day in a little school hall on the edge of a wilderness reserve.
I have such precious memories of that time. Wine tasting with the USA crew to choose the tipples for the big day. Watching the Japanese visitors teach my brothers how to fold paper cranes and everyone banding together to decorate the hall. Dancing to music played by our family, friends and neighbours.
So much had changed since then. Are we even the same people? Sometimes I see a beautiful moment, like Rangimarie picking a flower in the back yard and handing it to M and I think...these are the moments I dreamed about. This is where I want to be...where I have always wanted to be.
Life is definitely not perfect. I still struggle with my body, the house, the garden, paying the bills, the isolation of parenting. But I feel very blessed. While I can't have everything in life, my dreams have come true.
