My favorite homebuilder: a Moroccan ode

It was almost nine years ago exactly to this day that I looked at this man, and promised that I would be his and he would be mine, forever. We had met on a blind date back in the days when internet dating and chat rooms were still in the realm of science fiction. I was recovering from a broken heart and looking for distraction. He was recovering from glacier climbing in the Tetons and looking for a beer. He proposed after we had scaled a volcano in Mexico (a process normally known as hazing in the fraternity world). And still heady with mountain sickness, he made a magnum of champagne appear out of his backpack. Just a week after our honeymoon, we picked up and left to live in Nepal. From there we moved to Namibia and from there to Morocco. Not a typical journey, I know, but one that made perfect sense to us in that odd kind of way that only we could understand. 

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In addition to this fixation that he has to climb mountains of the very high variety, my husband, Chris, possesses many other skills. For example, he is the ultimate fixer and solver of problems. My Croatian friend married to an Italian diplomat  told me a story about how while traveling recently with another couple, a red light in their car dashboard started flashing and then the car broke down. The two men poured over the car manual but got nowhere fast. It was at this point that my friend exclaimed, ‘Where is Chris when we need him?’ Not that Chris is a mechanic or knows more about cars than the average guy. But rather because Chris is the one who manages to always figure it out, whatever it might be. 

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An architect by training, Chris has never been satisfied with just designing houses. Oh no. He really needs to get into the heart of a house and understand what makes it tick from the inside. From plumbing to wiring, from septic tanks to solar heating. He can build a house from the ground up. He reminds me of one of those strapping guys that you used to watch striding around Little House on the Prairie – the kind who would gather a few men ‘round and raise an enormous barn in an afternoon (while the women-folk were in the kitchen forever preparing roast turkey, their prairie dresses immaculate). 

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And so on this almost-our-wedding-anniversary-day, I dedicate this blog entry to my husband, Chris -- my favorite homebuilder and only sweetheart. You’re still the first person I would pick to be in my lifeboat. (I know you would be simultaneously fighting off sharks while figuring out how to convert the ocean into drinking water.) Thank you for marrying me. I’m one lucky woman. 

Comments

[Murad]

Maryam,

An Hindi song goes something like this " Jiyo hazzaro saal saal, yeh hai meri murad" which means - Long live your togetherness for thousands of years.

Your quest for travelling and living is my living dream. But for me that means visas permits and finding a livelihood.

[Anna in France]

Has it been nine years already? Now instead of planning for trees (yes, real trees) with lights at every table for your wedding, you are planning a house around an olive grove in Marrakesh..

The adventures you've had cannot compare with all those adventures ahead of you. We are everything we have experienced. And how rich we are already. You are both charmed because you bring so much joy, laughter and kindness to all those that come in contact with you.

It is a chinese curse but I will still bestoll it upon you: may you live an interesting life.

[Armen in Beirut]

Congratulations to Chris on this very beautiful and romantic note from such a loving wife.....and congratulations to you both on your wise choice and selection of your life partners......so should we consider the secret of the choice to be in the height at which it is made? :)))))) High or low you both have been blessed with a beautiful family , home and country. Enjoy it to the max

Like the others entried in your blog too. Will be visiting it again

Take good care and pass my congratulations to Chris on your anniversary and as the Armenians say " May you age on the same pillow " .

[Duaa]

What a beautiful story and beautiful picture! Very, very romantic.

[Claire]

Wow. (I can't stop using this word with you!!) What a beautiful post, picture and life! I know I only know you peripherally in this odd way, but I'm glad that I do. If only to hear snippets about your life.

Congratulations on the nine years. Many, many happy returns.

[olga]

jeez, I bawled my eyes out this morning when I read this ... yes you're lucky

happy happy

thank for sharing

BTW, remember my Moroccan-influenced stencils from AT? I would love to see more photos of interior/exterior scenes during your travels. I've perused every book I can find and memories from my trip, oh almost 20 years ago, are dim.

But it was a humdinger of a trip.

been enjying reading your posts, good luck with the building

-- Olga in NYC

[Maryam In Marrakesh]

Thanks so much to everyone for all your sweet words. I showed my husband the blog entry last night and he read all your comments and I swear he looked the teensiest bit choked up...

[John]

Lovely post.

I envy the world travelling; that has been on our list for some time, but, for now, life has had a other plans for us.

[Laurie]

Okay, I have to ask: How did you end up in Morocco? Do you plan to stay there for many many many years? Are there very many Americans living there? These questions have been on my mind for a few weeks - so I thought I'd just ask, rather than wonder. ;)

[Maryam In Marrakesh]

Laurie,
I have now gotten several emails asking the very same thing. I promise I am going to post on this, this very weekend. Gotta make a little time!

[A Shaman]

You did not meet on a blind date - I sense you met by a river.

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

A Shaman- Your email address does not work. We did meet on a blind date but oddly enough, we met on a river. How could you possibly have known that?

[Sister Mary Lisa]

I love this love letter, and the photo too. How sweet it is.

[susanna]

Awwwwwww...what a great dedication to your "McGyver" husband. Your travels together is really inspiring. You're certainly LIVING interesting lives.

[hindi song]

had scaled a volcano in Mexico (a process normally known as hazing in the fraternity world). And still heady with mountain sickness, he made a magnum of champagne appear out of nowhere. Just a week after our honeymoon, we picked up and left to live in Nepal. From there we moved to Namibia and from there to Morocco. Not a typical journey, I know, but one that made perfect sense to us in that odd kind of way that only we could understand.

talking about whom?
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