Part 26: Sweet memories and moments still to be

Today I have to put the finishing touches to Imraan's anniversary gift. It took me forever to figure out what to give him.

I know there are old English sayings about first anniversaries being paper and modern sayings about giving clocks...

Some people would say that following these traditions are haraam...
Others would say that its all about the intentions behind everything...

My MiL says its all a paaya wasting scheme...

I just think that celebrating the anniversary of the day you made Nikaah is a wonderful thing. Nikkah is such a huge act of Ibaadah, its the completion of half your deen. In the current time, with divorce so rife, every year together is definitely worth celebrating, besides, day to day, we get so caught up in everyday life that we forget to tell our partners how much we do value them.

 having a day to celebrate each other, is special and perfect for al the right reasons.

I know Imraan's taking me out for lunch. he wanted to know if I don't mind going for lunch instead of supper because we need an early night ahead of our traveling on Sunday.

I am cool with that, I get very tired even though I'm so early in my pregnancy. Growing two babies is hard work.

I decided to do a light breakfast in bed for Imraan...his favourite breakfast menu on a tray in bed, should start the day just right.

For his gift, I really struggled. I wanted something meaningful...something that not only showed my appreciation for our (short) past but also all the hope for our future together.

 It took me awhile, but I think I came up with  gift Imraan would definitely 'get' and appreciate.

I purchased a black horizontal panel frame that could hold 6 pictures.
 I found a picture on my phone of our hands when he put the engagement ring for me, I edited the picture and added the words "our journey began..." at the top.

Next I took a picture from our walima day, it was a close up of a rose Imraan had given me, the picture showed of our wedding rings, I added text below "...as sweet as the fragrance of a rose."

For the third picture i choose an image off the net of a couples hands with two little hands resting in theirs, i faded it into a background image and wrote over it "our journey continues with a sweet promise"

For the next two frames I made two photo size text boxes saying " I look forward to making...", "...many more memories of special moments..."

For the last picture I faded an image of two old wrinkled hands clasped together, I wrote over them "as we grow old together."

After I printed it, I was quiet pleased with the final effect...it was perfect, past, present and future, Insha'Allah.

I also got Imraan a silver branded watch I saw him admire, it was very elegant and masculine at the same time, it had no numbers or date on the face, just the hands...i added a little card to say "for the hours, minutes and seconds we spend that can't be measured...because they simply fill my heart with love."

I am all set for tomorrow...i can't believe its been a year! I made a cute BBM display pic to put up tomorrow as I daydreamed....

I am all set for tomorrow!

unfortunately, looking at the empty suitcases waiting to be packed, I can't say I'm ready for Sunday!

Leme get to it, then...