And we have ourselves a Rabbi!
Last night, Edward and I had our second meeting with the Rabbi at the temple where we are getting married as well as having our reception. Neither one of us are currently members of a synagogue so we had no ties to a specific clergy person.
When we met on Wednesday, he bascially told us what we needed to fill out our Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) as well as what we needed legally (marriage license). We continued with how we will incorporate as many traditional Jewish customs as possible.
Yesterday, we were able to get into the nitty gritty of it all. He asked me 'Why are you marrying Edward?' and started taking notes. I am guessing that this was his way of learning about us in order to personalize our ceremony as were virtual strangers to him. He asked me for one word to describe him - As if I can say one word about ANYTHING. It was perhaps one of the most incredible things. I had to share my most intimate thoughts about the love of my life to a total stranger. I don't think it was easy for Ed either.
After we spoke of ourselves, I felt compelled to explain the course of events in my life the past year. Having lost my Dad in July still continues to leave a bittersweet taste in all of us as we prepare for many a 'simcha' (celebration). Tomorrow my nephew is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah, our wedding in February and my niece's Bat Mitzvah in May will be incredible and joyous occasions but without my father's face there to shed smiles and tears upon us all, there will most definitely be something missing.
Needless to say I started to cry and I asked him to understand why I felt things happened for a reason. Ed and I became serious, just as my father got ill and began his decline in health. I have to believe that G-d is protecting my heart and he agreed with me. The Rabbi promised to make our ceremony meaningful and at the same time remember him without dwelling on the sadness.
I am so much more excited no than ever before. Things are so real for us and so soon.
When we met on Wednesday, he bascially told us what we needed to fill out our Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) as well as what we needed legally (marriage license). We continued with how we will incorporate as many traditional Jewish customs as possible.
Yesterday, we were able to get into the nitty gritty of it all. He asked me 'Why are you marrying Edward?' and started taking notes. I am guessing that this was his way of learning about us in order to personalize our ceremony as were virtual strangers to him. He asked me for one word to describe him - As if I can say one word about ANYTHING. It was perhaps one of the most incredible things. I had to share my most intimate thoughts about the love of my life to a total stranger. I don't think it was easy for Ed either.
After we spoke of ourselves, I felt compelled to explain the course of events in my life the past year. Having lost my Dad in July still continues to leave a bittersweet taste in all of us as we prepare for many a 'simcha' (celebration). Tomorrow my nephew is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah, our wedding in February and my niece's Bat Mitzvah in May will be incredible and joyous occasions but without my father's face there to shed smiles and tears upon us all, there will most definitely be something missing.
Needless to say I started to cry and I asked him to understand why I felt things happened for a reason. Ed and I became serious, just as my father got ill and began his decline in health. I have to believe that G-d is protecting my heart and he agreed with me. The Rabbi promised to make our ceremony meaningful and at the same time remember him without dwelling on the sadness.
I am so much more excited no than ever before. Things are so real for us and so soon.
