"Where the River Meets the Sea" - written by Andrew Daunis

She watched her toes sink into the sand on the bank of the river, near the edge of the ocean. The water was refreshingly cold, lapping over her feet with the push of the tide. Rhythmically, the ocean rose in front of her momentarily like a brilliant turquoise wall, blocking the horizon, before collapsing into a froth, sending the water up over her feet again and again as she stared silently into what seemed like another dimension.

She left New York City 2 days before, on a one way ticket to Kauai. Already, her Brooklyn loft, her cafe, and the noise of the city felt like a distant world. The river had become a refuge for her heart since her first encounter with it some months before.

Close by, a young man and his dad stepped out from under the shadow of the pines into the deep sand and blinding sunlight that slowly revealed the magnificent Lumahai beach. The pair had left California the day before, and now walked together towards the river; towards the young man’s new life in Hawaii. After graduating high school, the father decided to bring his son to the island to live for a while, together in Hawaii.

Children played in the river, and families fanned out along the bank. As the father and son walked toward the river, a woman stood distant in the shallows, looking out towards the sea. The man could feel they were walking right towards her.

The man dove into the river. The noise of the splash dissipated in the underwater quiet of liquid murmur and echoing grind of sand. The water was cleansing, fresh and cold. As he swam the water became more shallow until he emerged before the river’s bank, dripping in the sun. He came up on his knees right before the woman. She was beautiful with soft eyes and brown skin. Before when he walked toward the river, he man somehow felt like he was walking toward an encounter with the woman, and now he was standing right in front of her in the water.

* *. *

So, that's basically the story of how we met... we continued to meet after that day, for periods of days over the course of months: in Hawaii, California, Indonesia, New York, Florida. We continue to meet each other, every day now, and that's the way we like it. We decided to enter into sacred togetherness within the symbol of the gold ring that encircles us and protects us.

Sometimes the first words spoken resonate in more profound ways over time. Returning to the scene at the river, here is what happened next.

“It’s like a movie,” she said quietly. The words were still and floated on the air. With the innocence of a child meeting a new friend, she said, “Let’s swim together.”

The couple entered the deeper water of the river, the water that is gathered from the clouds high over the Pacific by the lush green mountains of Kauai, and drains from the peaks as cascading waterfalls; they entered the water and began to swim together, not knowing that two years later they would come back to this very spot to be wed in holy matrimony.

"Because it just feels right in my heart."

Though we did not have a long relationship before Andrew asked me to marry him, we did recognize how serendipitously parallel our lives were when we met; weaving in and out of each other's lives, we somehow stayed connected.

At the time, I was struggling with a lot and questioned whether I was destined to marry and have a family. Through these challenges though, I persevered on the difficult path towards self-love and acceptance, knowing deep down I have always longed for true love and conscious relationship.

With Andrew, I am able to let down the walls I've built around my heart. He is generous, patient and compassionate with not just me, but all those we have encountered on our path together. Our engagement, to my surprise, provided the safe container I needed to continue to grow and heal. Our commitment to each other has allowed me to feel safe enough to be vulnerable & honest, with myself and others. I feel unconditionally supported, loved and cherished - a gift I wish for all of us to experience.

I have finally found my life partner to continue my spiritual journey with, to build an abundant & happy life with, to grow together by uplifting each other every day.

In our matrimony, I see a sacred union that expands peace and love beyond just our relationship.

...and that is why I am marrying Andrew Glenn Daunis;)