This time she asked if I could use a recent picture of her parents, but to show them with a 65th anniversary cake, and not the Leyton Orient F.C. one that was in the photo she sent me!
Their daughter also asked me to recreate the setting of their salon, with its pale pink walls, and to include a couple of family photos in the background. One shows almost the entire family, though without the couple's daughter-in-law, who was unwell with corona on the day the photo was taken. To make up for her absence, the second photo features her alongside her husband on their wedding day.
I carefully created the portraits of my customer's parents, adding all the little details like the glasses hanging on a chain around her neck and the tumbler of whisky in his hands. I then added a large round cake on the table in front of them, photoshopping the greeting "Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary Mum & Dad onto it. I added some tiny red and pink flowers to the cake for a pop of colour.
The 65th wedding anniversary is known as the Blue Sapphire Anniversary. It is traditionally celebrated with the gift of blue sapphire, symbolizing strength, power, and the enduring love of a long marriage. However, this is a relatively modern convention, unlike the centuries-old traditions of silver, gold, or diamond anniversaries.
Once again the couple loved their card. "Thank you so much for the beautiful anniversary card you made for my parents" my customer wrote. "They loved it."
On the 8th October, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement and signed the first phase of a 20-point plan to end the war. A ceasefire came into effect on the 10th of October. As part of this first phase, all living hostages are to be released tomorrow, 13th October, in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 terrorists serving life sentences. Israel has already begun withdrawing its forces to pre-designated lines within the Gaza Strip.
Since the war began in October 2023, I have lit an extra candle every Shabbat, reciting a small prayer in my head for the safe return of the hostages. On Friday evening, I lit what I hope was my last extra candle, and tomorrow I pray I'll be celebrating the hostages' long-awaited return.
Still, my heart aches for the families whose loved ones won't be coming home. I think of the thousands who lost family and friends so brutally on the 7th October, and of the hundreds of soldiers who gave their lives - among them Gadi’s dear friends, Yakir and Ariel. Their bravery and their loss will never be forgotten.
* This post has been shared on Happiness is Homemade, The Good. The Random. The Fun.