October 12, 2006

Friendship on Fire (Revisited)

October 11, 1993 was the very first time the man of my dreams revealed to me, under a beautiful moonlit sky, that he was in love with me. October 11, 2000 was the unforgettable day that same man fell on his knee in front of my entire family and surprised me with a sparkling engagement ring.

I thus can't help but consider October 11 one of the most romantic dates of the year.
In commemoration of yesterday's auspicious date, I am reposting one of my favorite blog entries entitled "Friendship on Fire" in which I strive to describe the special love I share with my lifepartner. I hope you enjoy it.



Friendship on Fire

I recently saw the DVD of the “The Perfect Man”. The picture stars Hilary Duff and Heather Locklear. You can thus very easily and quite rightly assume that it was not exactly a movie teeming with intellectual profundity. However, there was this one exquisite line in the film that unexpectedly leapt right into my head and remained hopelessly lodged in the inner recesses of my subconscious.

The line consisted of five simple words:

Love is friendship on fire.

It does not get any truer than this.

My husband and I dated exclusively for eight years before tying the knot. Now, after more than four years of marriage, we are still going strong. During the course of our being together, people have often asked me how we have managed to happily remain in a long-term relationship. Often, I would find myself wordlessly smiling back, in an utter loss for words. For really, how can one accurately encapsulate the underlying essence of a bond so magnificently complex, so ridiculously multifaceted and so incredibly overwhelming?

At last I believe I have found the most fitting answer. Plainly put, my husband and I share a friendship on fire. We are each other’s best friend; there is no one else in the world we are as comfortable with. Yet, amidst the security and stability of companionship lies a fiery zeal for each other that keeps the romance alive.

Friendship alone does not suffice; you can have many great friends. And passion on its own, no matter how heated and thrilling at first, will fizzle out in the end. It is only upon discovering that you share with someone that singularly fabulous mix of camaraderie and passion that you know you have a love worth living for and dying for.

So all you out there in search of the perfect life mate, you would do well to take to heart this precious little nugget:

Choose well and find a love that is friendship on fire.

DVD not included.

This post has been submitted as an entry to Scribbit's Write-Away Contest for February 2007.

55 comments:

phaedrus said...

oh wow irene, that's so nice. i'm so happy for you!! i love how you write and how you express yourself, but i also think a lot of it has to do with the fact that you are HAPPY with your life and with yourself. kudos!

i think in my case i have too much fire and a bit of scorching going on. ouch!

Cherry Popcorn said...

Awww.. tat's so sweet! Keep up the good work! May your life be blessed with happiness always! =)

unreuly said...

irene, this post was absolutely perfect! i've been exposed to a lot of cynicism lately regarding love and fleetingness of it...and it's left me wondering if it really exists.
thank you for putting it into such succinct words!
oh and thanks for visiting!!!

Nuka said...

Happy Anniversary!

Christina_the_wench said...

Girl, that was touching. What a lucky couple you are!

Anande said...

Happy Anniversary! I really luv this post. You are an awesome writer.

Irene said...

Precious Phaedrus - There's so much fire in your life because you are a truly passionate soul! And there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to temper it a bit to get the right amount of warmth and avoid permanent scorching. Be happy, woman! I'm rooting for you.

Princess Shin - Thanks! Hope you find your own friendship on fire that will last your whole life.

Roselle - You're right! Sometimes, cynicism makes us forget that true love really does exist...and when it does, it's wonderful. c",) I hope to catch you again soon!

CSMC - My wedding anniversary is actually on May 5th. But October 11 can well be considered an anniversary of sorts as well. Thanks! c",)

Christina my favorite Wench - Thanks, girl! I wish you all the best in YOUR lovelife as well!

Brian - Thanks! I know that you, too, enjoy a uniquely special relationship with your soulmate. Hope we can be bloggerfriends! c",)

Bearette said...

It's funny how there's a nugget of insight in a movie that's otherwise "not teeming with intellectual profundity"...hehe. was it a good movie? i thought it looked cute at the time, but d didn't want to see it :(

i agree with the best friends/passion bit...both are necessary :)

Anonymous said...

great post :)

you two are a great looking couple!

BarnGoddess from the Res

Irene said...

Bearette - It wasn't such a bad movie. It had its moments of funniness. c",)

Hanuman - Thanks! And Happy Coming Out Day to you! :p

Barn Goddess - Thank you for visiting! Feel at home here. (",)

Irene said...

Annika Rose - Thank you! You have a lovely name. c",) Hope to catch you again here!

Tracy said...

That is so beautiful! Happy Anniversary. It is always neat to find someone who has found their soulmate.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and blessing me with your comment. :)

FelineFrisky said...

What a fabulous love you two share. HonBun & I have known each other for 21 years and have been married for 19. We've gone through all the troubles and difficulties. But this year, we rediscovered the friendship that goes so well with each other's soulmate status. We are so very happy, wish we had seen the light sooner. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your writing style, I'll be back! Diane

Irene said...

Mysti - Thanks! You're an absolute angel. c",)

Diane - That's great to hear. Ain't love grand? (",) I'll catch you again soon!

Lizza said...

*wipes tear away from eye*

That's so sweet! Keep the fire burning, Iridescent One. :-)

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!!! You are very lucky to be happily married. Keep working at it to make sure it stays that way. I count myself one of the lucky ones also as my wife and I are alike and fun in so many ways. We've been through a lot, but we are still one. Congrats again!!!

Neila said...

That is beautiful! It is a rare and wonderful thing to have found your true soulmate!!

thethinker said...

Very wise (not to mention, beautiful) words. I've seen that movie too and nothing with as near as much insight was in it.

Great picture as well.

Undercover Mother said...

I feel the same way. I had a really great best girlfriend for years before I met my husband, and for some reason or another, she just dropped off the face of the earth. I would have been devestated, except I realized my husband is my best friend. We've been together 12 years.

Amber said...

Oh My God, I am stealing that phrase and using it now! I absolutely adore it - I've never heard of a better way of love into words.

You are a fabulous writer and I'm so happy for you that you have found a love that will (and is, obviously!) last a lifetime.

Thanks for the comment on my journal; that was really sweet of you! :)

Irene said...

Lizza - Stop weeping, Lovely. I'm sure men are lining up in the hope of being chosen as your friendship on fire! c",)

Wreckless - One of my first thoughts after about a year of marriage was: Why did I wait so long? I realized most of my fears were unfounded...it actually gets even better after the wedding! Hope to catch you again soon. Stay happy in love! c",)

Mommy Neila - Thanks! I hope you're contented with your lovelife as well! :p

The Thinker - Thanks! You're sweet...but not really sixteen. You can't be. You're too wise! :p

Mom of Three - That's so great. Having a complete, happy family is indeed one of life's greatest blessings. Enjoy it! c",)

Rocky Mountain Princess - Awwwwww. Thank you! Feel at home here! c",)

Anonymous said...

Hey, you guys make a cute couple.

EmBee said...

How lucky you are and how profoundly you've shared your thoughts. I too married my best friend... No one on earth can make me laugh like he does. We've been together for 25 yrs. now and married for almost 23 yrs... I love him as much today as the day I first fell in love with him which I'm not sure of the exact day but I know it was in Oct. of 1981 and it very well could've been on the 11th!

Irene said...

Lightning Bug's Butt - Thanks! You're quite the cute one yourself! c",)

Margie - 25 years is WOW! Congratulations! Laughter is indeed a major ingredient in making a success out of married life. c",)

Deepak Gopi said...

beautiful post

Michael C said...

That is profund and romantic. Congrats!!

ShadowFalcon said...

I've been with my husband for almost five years now and it feels like five minuets. I know the reason we work so well is cos we are the best of friends and sometimes the best partner is one you can just hang out with in complete comfort.

JR's Thumbprints said...

I, too, have a friendship on fire. However, I'm not allowed to post her beautiful picture--just an arm or a leg on in awhile.

Amalendu said...

Happy Anniversary... Your's is a lovely refreshing blog and thanks a lot for visitng...

Irene said...

Deepak - Thanks, my favorite director! c",)

Michael - I wasn't trying to be profound; I was just simply being honest with what I felt. Thank you! I can tell you're a romantic, too! (",)

Shadowfalcon - That is great to hear. Stay happy in love! c",)

JR - Take care of your friendship on fire. It's not an easy thing to find! :-)

Amalendu - Thanks, dahling! Hope you visit again! c",)

Ereco - I am happy my post made you happy. I'll catch you again soon! c",)

Lizza said...

Iridescent One, the tear was for the touching beauty of this post. I'll have you know that the hubby and I have been married for a bajillion years now! :-D

Okay, I exaggerate. Fourteen, actually.

ExoticPrincess said...

You've beautifully described everything. I felt like i was actually there. He is very special to you and Good Luck to you both. God bless you.

Irene said...

Lizza - No way! 14 years??? But you look so young! Goodness, you must have married hella early! :p

Exotic Princess - Thank you! I wish you all the luck with HIM as well. c",)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Irene!

Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment!!!

It looks like your blog is doing great!

Tim Rice said...

I want to wish you a great anniversary and many more to come, too. That post was definitely worthy of being put up a second time and perhaps even more. Thanks!

Cathy said...

Irene...I had to stop and read your blog. It is beautiful..Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment.

I am adding you to my links so I can visit often.

M J said...

Wow, serious tingles here. What a wonderful post.

I'm still waiting for friendship on fire. Thank you for that glimmer of hope!

Thanks for stopping by my place. You made me laugh.

I will definitely be back.

Suzan Abrams, email: suzanabrams@live.co.uk said...

Hi Irene,
Thank you for coming by yesterday & saying nice things. YOu have so many comments that if you ever do get to the bottom of the page and see mine, I'd like to ask if I could link you?
Also, this was a beautiful post to read and very inspirational for anyone at all. Beside, you both make an attractive couple.

God Bless

ela zawrat said...

what a beautiful relationship ! This post warmed my heart. I also liked your Haloween pictures and outfits and the ghosts dancing around the tree.

Hugs

Ela

Irene said...

Barb - Thanks! Great to see you again. c",)

Tim - Thank you. Hope you're happy in love as well! :p

Cathy - The admiration is mutual! I linked you to my site already. Woohoo!

MJ - The best of luck in finding your friendship on fire! It will happen! Just avoid any talk of your naked pictures being posted. Bwahahaha! :p

Susan - Wow, thanks! Coming from a great writer like you, I'm truly flattered! I'll definitely be seeing more of you. (",)

Ela Enchanted - Thanks! Hope you're feeling better. c",)

krystyna said...

Wonderful , sooo beautiful story!great style of writing.I was touched.
Congratulations!!!

Peace with you!!

Irene said...

Krystyna - Glad you liked it. Thanks so much! c",)

Anonymous said...

So profound!

Falls right in line with what Neitzche said It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages

Anonymous said...

Oh, so true...because you think about how much you adore his heart or his sarcasm and the love shines through even with the socks under the coffee table want to make you wretch...

If it weren't fro friendship, the love may not last...

You are a great writer...I will come back often!

Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog...I appreciate it...

The Lone Beader® said...

Wow. You are very lucky. I hope to stumble across that someday:)

Irene said...

Sweet Shoshana: Neitzche...Aha! So you are a philosopher, too? :p

Wonder Mom Janet: You get what I mean exactly! I can tell you are very much happy in your own friendship on fire. Take care of it! c",)

The Lone Beader - Yes, believe and it will come true. You will experience your own friendship on fire. And when you do, all your beadwork will form hearts! HAHA! :p

ozchic_9 said...

Irene, thanks for stopping by my blog. I also found a friendship on fire, sometimes its a raging fire, sometimes a little spark, but the friendship always keeps it burning even through the coldest nights. Beautiful blog.

Jules said...

What a lovely lovely post. Thanks for sharing it again.

Irene said...

Sexy Julie: I'm sure you can relate, especially now that you are betrothed to the love of your life. Sigh! Ain't love grand? c",)

Unknown said...

Oh WOW! You just described my relationship with my Chris...I'm speechless...

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