A year ago today...

Marriage has exceeded my every expectation. Sure it's hard work at times, but so is anything of value that we attempt. It has been such a rewarding experience.

A big thank you to everyone who made it so special - for helping out, or just by being there.

To my mom, who has been a mom and a dad my whole life...a cooler mom does not exist! Everything I am, become or have is because of you. I hope and pray that I can be exactly the type of person and mother that you are.

To my Guru Maharaja, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, who gave me away and took part in the ceremony as my father, words cannot express my gratitude, love and appreciation. I am eternally grateful to be the disciple of such a wonderful, caring and compassionate spiritual master.

To Indradyumna Swami, who played a part in bringing us together, so many years ago with a garland :) At a wedding, you wrapped a garland around the couple's hands and bathed it with milk. You then said that the girl who caught this garland was guaranteed to marry a handsome, loving, wonderful, Krsna-conscious devotee. Thank you for throwing that garland to me :) I think it was a case of 'From your lips to Gods ears', because here I am married to that handsome, loving, wonderful devotee you promised - a devotee who inpsires me in my Krsna consciousness and pushes me to be a better devotee.

And finally to Bhaktimarga Swami, who supported and guided us from the very beginning. At our wedding you joked that you were 'concerned' that Savyasacin wouldn't find someone he wanted to be with and marry...I'm glad that you no longer have a need to be concerned :) You were hoping that things would work out between us from the first time we met before we even knew we wanted to be together! Your support and encouragement has been a lifeline in our marriage and in our spiritual lives.

And of course, a big thank You to Krsna...without Him, none of this would be a reality. I pray that we can both make You the absolute center of our lives, and that together we can make a difference in spreading Krsna consciousness.

On this day 6 months ago...

Vivaha - Samskara

I figured 746 photos is a bit much to put up, so i've tried to kinda summarise the ceremony with these photos...

A few words from Bhaktimarga Swami

It's been a month since our wedding in South Africa.The days before, the actual day and the few days after were so special. Unfortunately, due to visa issues, school, moving and travelling I haven't had the time to just sit down and write all those recollections down (or type them up in this case).

I thought that I'd just add this little note off Bhaktimarga Swami's blog, in which he speaks about our wedding. Maharaj is a very big, important part of our lives and we felt so fortunate that he was a part of this big step that we took.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Durban, South Africa

Do monks get involved in weddings? In my order, yes, most certainly! In fact, my comrade Bhakti Chaityana Swami acted as the father to Syamesvari, a young woman in the local community, and formally gave her away to her new husband Savyasacin at the ceremony this evening. I also participated but in a more minimal way. As an invitee, I attended the program which recognized the mutual bond between this lovely couple. Savyasacin is from Canada and is a sincere seeker. In a short address I emphasized that such a union has less to do with romance and fantasy functions (such as the wedding ceremony) and more to do with complementing each other in personal character growth and becoming responsible human beings, of which the most important function is self-realization. Srila Prabhupada taught the central point of married life is the Supreme Force whom we identify as Krishna, the speaker of the sacred Bhagavad-gita.

We're eternally grateful that Maharaj could share this day with us, that he spoke such encouraging words and that he offers us his guidance and support. Thank you Maharaj!!

Check out Maharaj's blog...its great!!!

http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/