Raphael + Rivki

To Rivki, my bride, my wife. We complement each other in the most unexpected and beautiful way. You carry yourself with an air of innocence and purity and you display elegance matched only by your ethereal beauty. I love you. Your tiny physique betrays your imposing presence – a live firework of personality, wit and intellect that spontaneously illuminates any environment. Over the past few years you have profoundly shaped every aspect of my existence. You have filtered my pretentions and tempered my neuroses. You have focused my perspective and have brought much light to my life. You have reinforced for me the importance of gratitude. You always tell me if you have a cup of coffee in the morning and a few rays of sun and you’re the happiest person in the world. But tonight I’m the happiest person in the world and for that I am truly grateful.
— Raphael
Raphael, how am I supposed to put into words how much you mean to me? I don’t know how I can distill your character into sentences and explain the essence of our relationship in paragraphs. Nearly 3 years ago you stumbled into my life quite literally. Maybe it was the liquid confidence, maybe it was the electric soundtrack or maybe it was the dark night and flashing lights. Whatever it was, I am thankful for it because from that day on life has been altered in the most magnificent and irreversible way. You make me happy, as simple as that. It is easy to make someone happy by treating them a certain way, telling them what they want to hear and caring for them but in that way one’s happiness is forever dependent on that person. What Raphael does is an entirely different art form. You have helped me to fulfill my own personal dreams, to create eternal happiness that is separate to you, and completely my own. You never let me settle for anything less than I deserve. You encourage me to test my own limits, push boundaries in all areas of my life and reach my true potential. That is true happiness. That is true love. To build a person in a way that is not tied to you, that is selflessness. Raphael, you’ve made me happy. What more could I ask for in a life partner?
— Rivki