Hurray!

Today is the day that Natanja and Mark have been married (at 3pm in Germany). Does one say "Congratulations" for weddings? It seems not enough... her is my atempt to celebrate the event with words:

Who is she that looketh forth as the
morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun,
and terrible as an army with banners?

Return, return, O Shulamite;
return, return, that we may look upon thee.
What will ye see in the Shulamite?
As it were the company of two armies.

In honor of your wedding I have made a chocolate swirl cake (I was not sure what you would be having so I made both..)

...

The slender acacia would not shake
One long milk-bloom on the tree;
The white lake-blossom fell into the lake,
As the pimpernel dozed on the lea;
But the rose was awake all night for your sake,
Knowing your promise to me;
The lilies and roses were all awake,
They sigh'd for the dawn and thee.
...

There has fallen a splendid tear
From the passion-flower at the gate.
She is coming, my dove, my dear;
She is coming, my life, my fate;
The red rose cries, 'She is near, she is near;'
And the white rose weeps, 'She is late;'
The larkspur listens, 'I hear, I hear;'
And the lily whispers, 'I wait.'

She is coming, my own, my sweet;
Were it ever so airy a tread,
My heart would hear her and beat,
Were it earth in an earthy bed;
My dust would hear her and beat,
Had I lain for a century dead;
Would start and tremble under her feet,
And blossom in purple and red.

This gem of a poem ( Maud by Mr. Tennyson) is full of the anticipation and beauty of this mysterious relationship that God has given. I think it fits because marriage seems to be the final fulfilment of these hopes. How exciting for you Natanja. God bless you today and forever!