Czechesotans: Anniversary

A love poem translated by *Václav JZ Pinkava:

The sort of love that results in 25 years of togetherness is extraordinary, and we were able to celebrate it recently at our friends' quarter-century anniversary. As this couple (whom I've crassly given the pseudonym "TyVoles" on this blog - sorry, guys!) is a pair of world travelers, I thought the aforementioned poem fit nicely.

Our couple also has enormous senses of humour, so the day started off with Mr. surprising Mrs. with a Czech comedian performing a mock marriage ceremony in front of family and friends at a Prague restaurant.

Afterward, we crossed the street to the Rotunda Nalezení sv. Kříže where our couple had a proper vow renewal. Being from the 11th century, that rotunda has likely seen many happy pairs consecrate their marriages.

Then of course, what would a ceremonious anniversary be without a party with copious food and drink? My favorite is the traditional Czech wedding food Šunka plněná křenovou šlehačkou - ham rolls with horseradish cream, and BW and I ate our weight in it. And somehow the evening ended with BW taking home an entire tub of leftover tlačenka (headcheese) and onion in vinegar.

Much more importantly than food, though, we always love seeing the TyVole family and their friends, and with some minimal Czech language skills now, we could even chat a bit with the grandmas.

So cheers to "heart(s) with dewed pearls a-beading" and all of the beautiful things that come with long-term commitment through the many changes that life brings. We raise a glass to our lovely friends.

*Mr. Pinkava has translated many Czech poems at http://www.vzjp.cz

Hard to believe I found a partner that puts up with my tendencies to burn the candle at both ends, break sunglasses and sing lullabies to the dog. But then again, he hoards receipts (even for, like, a pint of milk at the corner market) and stays up into the wee hours watching European football. We all have our quirks.

Thankfully, we've made a life together, eccentricities and all. And on July 31, we'll celebrate our second anniversary :)

One characteristic that we share is our penchant for travel. We have a bucket list that includes Japan, Northern Africa and Australia, but also... going back to northern Thailand.

Does a bucket list item count if you've already been there? I think so in this case. It's significant to us because we got married betwixt rice paddies near Chiang Mai, all by ourselves. And then we came home and threw a big ol' party.

Chiang Mai is easy to love. Visually, it's charmingly ramshackle, with ancient structures next to 7-elevens and emerald coconut palms next to grubby scooter repair shops. Culturally, it's a gem; the people are affable and kind, and an aura of peace surrounds this place much like the moats around the Old City. We visited wats, took a cooking class, got massages, shopped the night markets and so much more.