Happy New Year, and something extra special

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There are years that ask questions, and years that answer. ~Zora Neale Hurston

(First: thank you all so very much for the many gifts you shared here in 2013. Your presence and comments are a treasure! Also: here in front of the Christmas tree on Main Street last night, the extraordinary man of my heart proposed. And I said, without a doubt!, yes.)

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80 Comments

  1. Mary M-S says:

    Late to the party, but Congratulations Maureen and Dan! What an exquisite way to start the new year. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together!!

  2. paula says:

    Such a beautiful quote!
    I’m so happy for you Maureen, believe me.
    He’s a lucky man.
    Some months ago, I made a comment about your new and beautiful profile photo.Maybe you don’t remember, but if you check it I referred how beautiful you looked and I said that must be love.Believe me I felt that…

    From a distant place a close and warm hug to you wishing you both all the best (is yet to come)

    Paula

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Paula, I do remember your words…thank you so very much for those and for these!

  3. Nicole Mahshie says:

    I’m so glad to have found your blog! My husband’s heritage is Lebanese/Palestinian and I feel so fortunate to have married into his family and culture. I have loved learning Arabic and eating all the wonderful food his family makes. Now I want to start making it myself for my husband and our children. Keep the good posts coming!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Nicole! How great that you are making these dishes and enjoying your special Lebanese family!

  4. Linda Ireland says:

    Maureen – best wishes for a long and happy life together.
    I’m so happy you found an extraordinary man to share your life with!

  5. Anne Marie Lasher says:

    Congratulations Maureen – very happy for the two of you!

  6. jamila says:

    Mabrouk Maureen and Dan! 2014 starts well with this proposal.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Jamila!

  7. paul zeidan says:

    As the lebanese say “alf mabrook” (1000 best wishes). wonderful way to celebrate christmas and usher in a new year. may 2014 bring many blessings

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Shukrun Paul, 1000 times!

  8. Denise Khoury Zeidan says:

    Maureen, what exciting news. Congratulations all the way from Sydney, Australia, and may the new year be full of much happiness and joy for you.
    I love your blog, and many thanks for sharing.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you for your special words from Sydney, Denise! Many blessings to you and yours in 2014!

  9. Curtiss Norman says:

    Congratulations, Maureen! I wish we could have shared some Arak after your news! Happy New Year 🙂

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Curtiss, you are so dear–thank you so very much! We loved our Arak visit with you and we’ll do it again soon. Cheers, over ice!

  10. Cheryl says:

    Oh, sweet, Maureen. My heart is full. Wishing you much joy together and a beautiful new year. Congratulations, friend! He’s got himself a CATCH! xo

  11. Bill B. says:

    A very good year, indeed!!! Congratulations.

  12. Jerry Wakeen says:

    Wonderful list of well wishers above, sorry I am late.
    Have followed your blogs for a while now, this is great news!
    I wish you both every happiness.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Jerry, thank you!

  13. Jenny Brower says:

    Congratulations Maureen!!!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Jenny!

  14. Richard Abood says:

    Well Sweetheart, I’m not surprised but am very pleased and happy for you and Dan. You are two very fine people who make a very beautiful couple. May God bless you both and provide your marriage with many years of good health and happiness. All my love, Uncle Dick

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you so much, Uncle Dick!

  15. Aunt Peggy says:

    Maureen darling, what lovely news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hugs and kisses to you and Dan. Hope to see you both in Naples.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Aunt Peg!

  16. Roger Toomey says:

    I guess he takes the old saying seriously, “Kissin’ may not last, but cookin’ do.” Seriously, all the best to you.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      You know it Roger!

  17. Barbara Davidge says:

    Congratulations!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Barbara!

  18. Jeanne says:

    Best Wishes Maureen. I am so happy for you!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Jeanne, thank you!

  19. Marlene Abood Hatton says:

    Congratulations and best wishes!!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Marlene!

  20. virginia biggar says:

    Congratulations from the Menzis!!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you from snowy Harbor Springs!

  21. Tom Wright says:

    Congrats Maureen, Dan is a very lucky man.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thomas, many thanks and much love!

  22. TasteofBeirut says:

    Congrats and my best wishes for 2014 and your upcoming life as a couple!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Joumana!

  23. Janel @ Creating Tasty Stories says:

    Congratulations! What a spectacular way to ring in the new year.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Janel!

  24. Anne Saker says:

    Hooray and best wishes to you, darling cousin.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Many thanks cousin!

  25. Jim Albert says:

    What special news!! ‘Two wonderful people! Congrats to both of you.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Jim!

  26. Pat Abood says:

    Your happy news has added a very special touch to our New Year’s blessings, Maureen!
    All my love and very best wishes for your happiness always, to both you and Dan.
    Aunt Pat

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Aunt Pat!

  27. Wendy says:

    from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières:

    Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides … Love itself is what is left over when being “in love” has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

    May God Almighty bless and keep your union in His great love and grace, Maureen. You are such a special person – “the extraordinary man of your heart” is wise indeed to realize that!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Beautiful! Thank you!

  28. Laura Pryor says:

    Congratulations! What an incredible New Years Eve!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Laura!

  29. Michelle Deiter says:

    Congratulations Maureen !!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Michelle!

  30. Selene Schulz says:

    Congratulations and best wishes! December 31st, 2013 was a huge night for a lot of families (and I do feel we are family on here). First, your engagement. Then, my cousin, Jane Sinsel got married. Last and certainly not least, our granddaughter and her husband gave birth to a daughter, Ava Nicole. We are feeling blessed. What a way to end 2013. Blessing to all in 2014!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Congratulations to you and yours Selene, and many thanks!

  31. Jody Namey Atty says:

    Sooo very happy for you, Maureen!!!! Wishing you a lifetime of blessings…much love, “cousin” Jody

  32. Pat says:

    I know you only through your blog, but, couldn’t be happier for you! How about sharing a picture of the happy couple?

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Pat! Perhaps a photo sometime, yes!

  33. Gregory Jarous says:

    Well cousin not only a Blessed New Year to you, but also congratulations to you both.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thanks so much cousin!

  34. Tootsie says:

    I told you this would be your year!!!! I feel like I gained a daughter in law…..I could not be more thrilled. Love you Both Happy Happy New Year to you and your family Pls Big Hug to Dan!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Tootsie!

  35. Sarah Nama Koenig says:

    Extra special indeed! Congratulations Cousin! Best wishes!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thanks so much!

  36. Diane Nassir (my maternal grandmother was an Abood (Jamileh) from Ammun Leb. says:

    Oh Dear Maureen, Many many years of blessings, health, and happiness to you and your Beloved!!!! Wishing you abundant joy and love–the same you radiate to us thru your sheer love of life and express so beautifully from your heart with your words and sentiments and pictures. A Happy Happy 2014 and God Bless You! xoxoxox

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      How beautiful! Thank you Diane!

  37. Michael Ganz says:

    Congratulations Maureen! All the Best to both of you!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Michael!

  38. Ellen McCabe says:

    Congratulations to both of you. That’s lovely news to ring in the new year with! Much love and happiness to you both.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Ellie!

  39. SuzyM says:

    Congratulations on your engagement and to many Happy Healthy New Years to come! It’s nice read such great news on the first day of a new year. Let’s all spread more JOY and HAPPINESS like this in 2014!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Here here Suzy! Thank you!

  40. Marci Duryea says:

    Oh Maureen! A million blessings on you both, and may this new year bring you nothing but good things!

  41. sameen says:

    That’s great news
    Congratulations to both of you

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Many thanks!

  42. Terri Brantley says:

    The best of everything to you and Dan.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you Terri!

  43. Anne Cashill says:

    Congratulations Maureen! We are so excited about your news. A wonderful way to start the new year!

  44. Janet Kalush Moore says:

    OMG!!!!!!!!! Sooooo a Happy New Year it is!!!!!!!!!! I am so very happy for you. And my dear cousin….he is getting an EXTRAORDINARY girl.
    Congrats…I will be staying tuned for Chapter 2..when and where!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you so much Janet!