1. Relationship Profile: Anel and Erika
Anel spoke through a honeymoon haze, just three days off a plane from the paradise
known as Isla De Mujeres. The island used to be sacred to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess
of the moon, and visitors can still find her ruins right where the island and ocean
meet. For Anel, a water sign, and Erika, a moon sign, this wasn’t just a Caribbean
wedding destination, this was cosmic, and they wanted their Mayan Aztec ancestors
to witness and give blessing to their union. “Marriage for us now is more about
asking for the blessing of the universe,” Anel explains.
This connection between self and the universe is at the root of the couple’s long-
time love. With eight years and the rearing of two children under their belt, the pair
finds pleasure in isolation. “We spend a lot of time working so it’s hard for us to
unplug,” says Anel, “but just commit to unplug the phone, the computer, the
Internet, the laptop, the tv, the movie – unplug all of that and just sit alone together.”
This “open transparent communication” was only strengthened by their impending
January nuptials. Prior to the ceremony, Anel and Erika sat down with their minister
and reflected upon any negative forces on their relationship, including bottled up
experiences of family and homophobia. “We had dealt with everything before the
wedding so that we wouldn’t have to be sad, or cry, or break down at the wedding
itself.”
And on the big day, the sad tears never came. “Everything was perfect. The people
were perfect, the music was perfect, the weather was perfect, the travel was perfect,
the water was perfect.” And that’s perfect, because these two knew they were
destined to spend their lives together after only four dates; and when the universe
talks, you better listen.
This appeared in Out in SA.