Here’s a quick initial video from the wedding:

Some pictures from our engagement:

Engagement in Paris

Joshua and Suzy at the beach

Romance in B&W

Romance in Color

And some pictures from our wedding:

The groom is ready

The bride is ready

The big day is about to begin

The groom arrives

The bride arrives

Getting married is fun!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Seth

The happy couple at home

The happy couple

Isn't she lovely

Check back in a few days for more!

The reception awaits

The grand entrance

Protecting my bride!

Celebration

Dancing

Sneaking way from the crowd

IN our own little world

In love

What it's all about

How about surprising her by moving across the country and buying a house within driving distance of her.

Warning: don’t do this to your mom unless you’re sure she can handle the shock without having a heart attack!

NOTE: Comments are now closed. here is what was posted…

Sharon

That was great! Thanks for sharing!

Gloria

Joshua,
Loved it!!
Gloria

Betty

Priceless!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

Laura

That was too funny! You’re right – it’s going to be real hard to top that! You’ll have to let us know what you did this year.

Grace

Haha! That was too cute! Your mom is adorable, and so funny the way she was laughing and jumping around! I hope that one day soon, I’ll be able to make my mom just as proud and excited as you have with your mom. You can just see how much she loves you

Robert

Josh,
What a fantastic gift for your mom! Congratulations to you and your family.
Best,
Robert Bloor

Anna Dwornik

Josh, What a Mother’s Day shock! Your poor mom. But I bet she’ll love you for it. Cherish her.

Luis Lopez

LOL your mom is so Cool!
Great Surprise Josh.
Congrats!!!

natalie

this is really awesome

John O’Leary

Excellent. You are so fortuanate to have your MOM. Cherish her.
All the best to you and to your MOM.

Ashley

Looks like mom was extremely shocked and excited! I called so many places yesterday trying to find something unique to send my mom other than flowers that die. I found a place that did a chocolate basket for her and I had to sent today. She must have liked it considering she was telling grandma how I had this basket sent to her.

Marsha

Thanks for the mother’s day wishes and the surprise that you gave your mom last year was great! She really freaked!

It’s about a kid who thinks he’s from outer space and feels like he’s going to float away. But it’s ultimately about our own human need for connection with one another. When those connections are lost (or broken) we lose a part of what holds us down to earth. A part of what make us feel whole and human. If you’ve ever lost a loved one or been through a divorce I’m sure you know what I mean.

Conversely, when we experience that spark of recognition with the intimate nature of another we suddenly feel reassured in the knowledge that we are not alone. In a way I think this is what love is.

I know that I am in love with a woman from another country and have been from the moment I first laid eyes on her. She may as well be from Mars because her cultural references, her language, nearly everything about her is foreign to me (and I to her). But all of that fades away when I look into her eyes and know that we are one.

She will always have a home with me. And I will never be alone as long as she is in the world. And isn’t that what we’re all really looking for anyway? When you boil away all the distractions. We want to feel loved. To be accepted. And loved and accepted so completely, so unconditionally that nothing else matters. Nothing we say or do can ever change that. A love so powerful that it transcends our very existence. Extends beyond time and space and our day to day reality of being alive.

I have found that in my own life. I found it by giving it and paying whatever consequences were necessary. And by giving love in that way I became capable of seeing it all around me. Capable of seeing that we are all one, yearning to be one with one another, even as we fight and kill one another all around the world.

Such is the poignant duality of man.

I guess that’s why I cry at sappy movies about dysfunctional families now.
But what the hell… I’m alive!

NOTE: Comments are now closed. Here is what was posted…

kathy erken

Hey Joshua;
That is a profound article. Very unexpected and surprisingly beautiful. It’s not very often we share our feelings with everyone and I am so happy for you! Kathy

Steph

I second Kathy’s motion!
Thanks for the great post, Joshua, and for sharing.
It’s amazing how your whole perception changes when you have a spiritual connection with someone – when you’re in love.

About 4 years ago, I decided to finally take care of looming credit card debt ($14,000 worth) by waitressing at a strip club. I justified that decision in many ways – and it was working for me.

About 3 months in, I met my love. It suddenly and steadily got harder for me to go to work. My eyes were opened to love and the stark contrast was unavoidable.
You’re right – nothing else matters in this life but love and acceptance.

Alheli

Hello! Joshua, I appreciate your sharing your feelings because I can relate with you. please keep sending me your blog.
Alheli

I don’t pretend to be an expert in this area (my mother is the marriage and family therapist in the family) but Suzy and I have been together for almost 7 years now and in that time I’ve learned a thing or two about keeping love, passion, and romance alive in our relationship.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list on the subject. If history proves anything it is that all of mankind has a lot to learn about love and human relations. These are the things that have worked for me and my fiance. 

Please feel free to add your own insights to the list in the comment section below.

10 Ways To Create Lasting Love In Your Relationship

1. Listen fully (give the other person your full attention and respect)

2. Compromise (always seek for both partners to win)

3. Make decisions out of love (not fear)

4. Share everything (no secrets, no off-limit areas)

5. Give thanks every day for having love in your life

6. Clearly assign areas of authority (who does what)

7. Ask “how can I be a better husband / wife?”

8. Match and mirror (be the reflection of their inner self)

9. Love them just the way they are (the only thing you should seek to improve about your partner is your perception of them)

10. Find ways to say and show “I love you” every day
 

1. Listen fully (give the other person your full attention and respect)

The highest compliment we can pay another person is to give them our undivided attention. When women say “my husband / boyfriend doesn’t listen” we men tend to rattle off a point by point list of everything they just said to prove them wrong. Real listening is about hearing not just the words but the spaces between them, the person saying them, and the emotional intention behind them.

2. Compromise (always seek for both partners to win)

I know people who have a “my way or the high way” attitude. That doesn’t work in business and it doesn’t work in relationships either. Love means making sure that both parties win. Loving yourself means never playing the victim and loving the other person means never victimizing them. A little compromise can go a long way to making sure that both parties can feel fulfilled in every situation.

3. Make decisions out of love (not fear)

“What if” thinking has no place in a loving relationship. Rather think “what else” or “what can be” which opens up possibilities and opportunities unfettered by fear. Life should be an exciting adventure and love is the light that can lead the way.

4. Share everything (no secrets, no off-limit areas)

In some cultures the men do not share many areas of their lives with their spouses. For instance business, politics, and finances are kept separate and the women are locked out. If marriage is about two lives becoming one then there should be no off limit areas. Share everything and welcome your spouse as a true partner in life. 

5. Give thanks every day for having love in your life

Appreciation is the water that makes love grow. Give thanks for having your loved one in your life and make that attitude manifest in everything you do. Don’t hide it in a silent prayer. Shout it from the rooftops “I am so lucky to have found the man/woman of my dreams!” 
 

6. Clearly assign areas of authority (who does what)

Whether you believe in traditional gender roles or not, make sure you clearly delineate who is in charge of what in your relationship. It will make it easier to live, laugh, and love together and save you much grief later on.

7. Ask “how can I be a better husband / wife?”

The eternal question that men always wonder is “what do women want?”. Here’s an idea: how about simply asking them. When is the last time you asked our spouse how you can be a better husband, wife, or lover? I’ll bet they’ll have a few good ideas at the ready. And you’ll get the chance to bring more pleasure to your partner as well.

8. Match and mirror (be the reflection of their inner self)

As a hypnotist I know how to subliminally create rapport, This is a very powerful way to become a refection of your lover’s inner self. For instance, Suzy is from Lebanon and English is her third language. Instead of correcting her English (like every other American seems inclined to do) I parrot it back to her. She says “sounds like” when she means “looks like” so I adopt that language pattern. She uses hand gestures that are unusual in America so I use them when I am with her too. By matching and mirroring her language and behaviors I become a subconscious extension of her inner self. Witty repartee is not true communication. It’s the connection that counts.

9. Love them just the way they are (the only thing you should seek to improve about your partner is your perception of them)

We cannot ever change another person. The best we can hope to be is the living representation of whatever behavior or ideal we wish to see. Lead by example. Love your partner enough to find pleasure in their imperfections and seek to change only yourself.

10. Find ways to say and show “I love you” every day

It’s not enough to know it. You must seek out ways to show it. Let them know how much you love them each and every day.
 

Comments are now closed. Here is what was submitted: