The Seven-Year Itch

Right before Christmas Jake and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. And I know what you're thinking, and the answer is yes, we were just out of junior high school when we tied the knot. Kidding! But actually only just barely. I was 19, and he was 22. Which sounds terrifying now, but back then — OK, it was pretty terrifying back then, too. But when something's right, it's right. Waiting around won't change that. And this was right.


I wouldn't say getting married so young was a breeze for either of us, but tying yourself to someone else before you're really done growing up has its advantages. Jake and I have grown up together, side by side, and we've developed what I think is a pretty fantastic symbiotic relationship that wouldn't have been possible had we waited until we were "fully formed". We molded to each other. Our interests and habits melded and meshed and organically materialized until it was hard to distinguish where and with whom they started. I can't imagine myself or my life without Jake. Nor would I ever want to. Life with him is fun and exciting and enriching and fascinating and cozy — everything I've ever wanted my life to be. I count myself very lucky to love and be loved by someone so incredible.

And if I can make sure Marilyn Monroe doesn't move in upstairs in the next year, I think we just might make it.

To memorialize the occasion, we went out. Alone. At night. On a date. No Jethro. No stroller. No diaper bag. (Thanks for babysitting, Antje.) And it was great.

We had dinner at the kind of goofy but really fun and historic Sophienkeller in the Old City and ate excellent German cuisine.

And strolled down moonlit cobblestone streets between palaces and cathedrals.

And we marveled at how normal this has become.



JEM

P.S. Anyone still reading this blog may also be interested in this one: selinainmemphis.blogspot.com. It's the other way around, a German girl living in America. Welcome to Bizarro World.

Frohes Weihnachtsfest!

Christmas in Germany is pure magic.

I love so many things about it — the food, the decorations, the Christmas markets.

Even though I don't drink alcohol, I think this tradition is awesome:

Every Christmas season Jake's professor prepares a piping hot bowl of traditional German Glühwein ("glow wine") for his group of grad students and post docs and their loved ones. I don't know the recipe, but it's got something to do with wine and spices and lighting a rum-soaked cone of sugar on fire. It smells fantastic, and I'll be honest and say as a non-drinker that of all the alcoholic beverages, this one probably tempts me the most.

But there's one German Christmas tradition that I simply cannot abide. I've tried to be tolerant these last three Christmases here, but I can take it no more. So I'm just gonna say it:

Dear Germany,


You are not supposed to open your presents on the evening of Christmas Eve. This doesn't make any sense. I've thought about this a lot, and here are my arguments:



1. Christmas Eve is great for remembering the true meaning of the holiday, reading Luke 2 with the family, and watching "It's a Wonderful Life". And also for building the suspense for Christmas to a maddening crescendo. But Christmas is the big day. It's what the whole shooting match builds up to, so why burst its bubble prematurely?



2. If I were a kid and I had to wait all day long, go to church, eat dinner, blah, blah, blah, before opening my new toys from Santa (or the Christmas Man, as you so pragmatically call him), I don't think gags and straight jackets and threats of violence would be able to keep me civil all day. Also, I think giving a kid new toys and then promptly sending them to bed is just sick.



3. And let's not forget, all of Germany is in one time zone, and nearly every household is getting a knock on the door from the Christmas Man at almost the exact same time? How does that work? Clearly this has to be an overnight affair. I mean, yeah, the Christmas Man is crazy-fast and magical, but let's apply a little rational thought here.



Other than that, you guys are doing a great job.



Love,


JEM


Needless to say, for our first Christmas all on our own, we did things the American way.

Oh, the rapture.

Here's to hoping Christmas was as delightful for you and yours, with love from me and mine.

JEM