Risky Business

Last Friday hubby and I went to our friends' house, they are getting married tomorrow. And I am really excited for them. You see, they lived together for twelve years now and finally after all this time - they're getting married! We're ecstatic to say the least.

Hubby is going to be the best man. A small party was thrown for them by some friends. After dinner all of a sudden the table was cleared. The bride took out three decks of cards. "Let's play a game!", she uttered. I looked at hubby and he looked back at me. Suddenly everyone at the table was looking at me, "Common' Lisa, try it!". I was shaking my head. "I errr don't know how to gamble," I said shyly. Hubby whipered in my ear, "Go ahead, try it. If you don't like it, you can always quit." Not wanting to be a party pooper, I hesitantly joined the game. There was money at stake, to make it more fun they say. Thirty minutes into the game I was hooked! LOL! At first hubby was my guide he read my cards and he teaches me how much to bet. But when the stakes got higher he let me decide if I still wanted to gamble or stop.

The game was a revalation. I realized I was NOT a gambler. Ha ha! I only took calculated risk and I only bet what I have and can give up and nothing more. I was amazed and awed at the way the other players were risking everything they got (well the bet at least) for the game. And I can't help but think in the game of life how much was I willing to gamble?

Earlier that evening hubby and I got a chance to talk to the groom's parents. I knew them for a long time now but it was the first time that I had a one on one talk with both of them. Our friend's dad was really cool. He took things lightly. I can just imagine if it were my dad he'll probably freak out if I didn't get married and just lived in with a guy! You know what I loved about the whole conversation? It was the way they both reminisced their wedding day. He recalled it to be something simple but sweet. "It was not elaborate", he says, "but I remember that day vividly." There was so much love in the way they finished each other's sentences and stories. I felt envious at the way they joked and teased each other. I was looking at hubby and wondered if we will be like that when we grow older. I hope so!

This is my salute to our friends(whose names I won't mention). It has been a risky twelve years but finally you have come to this moment when you have played all your cards right and realized it was never how many times you won or lose...but it was how you played the game.

Love is a gamble, sometimes you win, other times you lose. But no matter what your cards are in this gamble, whether cloves, spades, or diamonds, remember-never ever play with the heart.