Life is short, Lick the Bowl!

           When my second sister got married, (shoutout @ IG: @mrslianalrp) I thought "Finally, I get all of mummy's delectable sweets to myself." In Trinbago we like to say "yuh cya be late twice," but was I late in realizing that not only will my wife also get sweets, but she would also be higher in the pecking order than me. This is commonly done in such new relationships as a form of "Dular" that helps to build the bond between daughter and mother-in-law.
             It was a fine Covid-19 weekday evening. I got home after a busy day attending to patients in the health centre, but my new Dulahin was still on leave. Mom was making dad's favorite "mixed sponge and fruit cake." (For this recipe please let us know in the comments below and we will gladly share with you.) It was at the stage just finished being mixed and this is when I would usually get the basin and beaters to lick the batter. You can judge all you like, but if your mom's hand was as good as mine you'd do it too! Lo and behold this darned wife of mine got the basin and beater handed to her. I did not sign up for this. This was nowhere in the vows. Though she was kind enough to share with me, this shall forever stain my memory (Just kidding 😋)

                       
                 Boy do i love my mom's Fudge. The best part is eating the cooled melted caramel form having just come out of the pot... mouth watering! Sharing is a big part of the bond of marriage. It represents one way to show growth and sacrifice in the relationship. Some of the other things I have learnt to share with my wife (or currently in the process of learning) are:

• Bed space: get the King- the bed is NEVER big enough.

• Shower: it's true that some mammals are more warm blooded than others. My wife loves the water hot like a sauna so I try to use it before her when it is cooler. (Hey guys what's up with women and steaming hot showers???)

• A trini favourite, the Hammock: get accustomed to sharing now because even if you get her a hammock of her own, she will without doubt want to be in the one that you are in! (Don't tell her I said that.)

I would find you in any lifetime ~ Kanye West

        Strolling through the grocery together, masks and disinfectant in tow, is one of those exercises that help you realize you were meant for each other. You know like when you both unintentionally reach for the same jar of ice-cream or the same pack of hot-dogs, the smiles this brings we understand harbors pure love for one another; which we could see even through the multiple filtering face masks.
        During this Covid Lockdown period, doing groceries was one of those essential services people did as an excuse to get out of being in the house all the time. Truth be told, our grocery Tru-Valu even provided a wonderfully efficient WhatsApp pickup service, yet we found ourselves having to make a grocery run at least once per week. Considering that we both are Essential Workers and weren't stuck in the house as much as other people, this was us basically living out our honeymoon activities going to a different restaurant every night given the circumstances. Except it wasn't the restaurant. It was the grocery. The same grocery. All the time. 😆 In local 'Trini' parlance, this is an apt moment for the use of the term "laugh or cry."
         We made the best out of a cornered situation. Just like my friend Vish would say about him and his wife turning their Sunday evening Gas runs into a cool weekend drive. To cheat the saying a little, Love is in the eye of the beholder. Whether or not Kanye needs help finding Kim in any lifetime is debatable because of you know what. If you spend enough quality time with your significant other like we have there is naught to be found because you feel so connected and undivided, it's as if you've been together all of your lifetimes!

Photo cred: IG: @trisharags1981

Born to Socially Distance

          Not exactly your typical introverts, there may have been some benefits of having a Covid Wedding, other than the cost savings of course.
Not having to greet that long lost aunty not seen since before Trump became president, and hear her boisterously comment on who gained weight;
neither "Tanty Baby" who likes to whisper about everyone's business, is a relief to most communal type families.
           If you prefer late night Netflix and movies compared to going out clubbing then you may be an apple not far from our tree. Being stuck at home apparently under duress was the perfect blanket to cover both of our antisocial tendencies. I mean, even millenials get that putting on pajamas after work at 6pm represents a menial freedom forsaken by the 80's kids.
           It also gave us lots of time together. We will share more of our experiences together with you guys on this blog. Be sure to let us know what areas or topics are your favourites and it will be posted! Getting to know your partner while living together is definitely different to knowing each other for several years before that.

For us, this was not something to be taken for granted as both of us are Essential Workers. I had to put on my Superhero Scrubs and report to work after our day much sooner than I would have liked as all pre-approved leave had been cancelled due to the pandemic. For those of us who know, we take a Round of applause for that!