A Wife Loved Like The Church

Did you hear that? It’s crickets chirping. Please excuse the lack of posts lately. In all the craziness of life, our internet went out for nearly a week.

As I had promised, there is a lot of updating to share. First with why I was playing single mom for two+ weeks. Jonathan was accepted into the Cornell University Executive MBA program. It is a sixteen months program, that kick starts with a two week stay in New York. Once classes start {next week}, Jonathan will be doing the program via classroom satellite. He will go again to New York at the start of the next session, and one final trip at the end {next fall}. It’s an awesome opportunity for Jonathan, for his career, and for our family’s future. I am so proud of him and his ambition to continually push himself further and his desire to make the best decisions for our family.

The kids and I missed Jonathan something fierce while he was gone. The first few days were not too bad, but after the first week, everyone was ready for him to come home. Half way through the second week, the kids and I packed up and went to Houston for four days. My dear sweet college friend, Rabeea, got married. She is Pakistani, so we had the opportunity to dive into a new culture while we were there.

Traditionally, Pakistani weddings {and most southeast Asian weddings} last for several days. The first night was the maayun. This night is women only, and consists of dancing, eating and applying henna {which typically is done during the Mehndi, but was changed to this night}. Everyone wears traditional Pakistani clothing. Rabeea and her sisters let me borrow their older outfits. Rabeea’s sister, Aisha, actually gave me the one I’m wearing in this picture to keep for future events.

{Shambhavi – another college friend, Marium – Rabeea’s cousin from the UK}

The next night was the Mehndi. This is the party night. Both the bride and groom’s families attend as a introduction, or bringing together, of the families. Mehndis don’t typically start until late at night and go until the early morning. There is lots of dancing performed for the bride and groom, as well as a blessing given to them by all in attendance.

{Rabeea, Me, Shambhavi}

The following night {Saturday} was a “free night” and when we hosted a bridal shower for Rabeea. This was a nice low key event and a nice reprieve from the hectic schedule. Because my kids had stayed up so late the night before {until well after midnight!} they were all exhausted and fell asleep around 6:30.

Sunday was the actual ceremony, or the Shaadi. For the shaadi, all the bridesmaids wore saris that were made for us individually in Pakistan.

{Dimple, Shambhavi and me}

Shortly after the reception, I loaded the kids in the van and drove back to Austin. We arrived just before my brother and his family, who came to town for a few days. Having the cousins here was a nice distraction for the girls, as they were asking for Jonathan none stop by that point.

Jonathan got home super late Monday night. Our family left Wednesday mid-morning, and I am nursing myself back to health after catching a cold on Sunday.

The last few weeks have been quite the adventure, but I am thoroughly looking forward to some much needed down time.

What have you all been up to lately? I’ve missed you all!

Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.