Before my husband and I started dating, probably before I even set my “plan” into action to hook him in, I, like many other young girls, had a list of “requirements” for my future husband. Hah!
My husband and I in 6th grade. At the time, he liked me, but I didn’t want to give him the time of day (as the picture probably shows).
This sounds especially funny now that I’m writing it, but let’s roll with it for a second. On this list were goals of sorts in how I wanted to raise my (not our as this list was dreamt up before I knew whom I would start this family with) family. One thing on the list was to raise my kids speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.
Then my husband and I started dating, and he graduated from college with a double degree in Hawaiian Language and Political Science. Then we got married, we’re having kids, etc. But wait, hold up! Isn’t it amazing that this “requirement” to raise my family speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is being fulfilled? I think so.
If it was not for my husband, I know I don’t have the educational background to raise a family speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, no matter my most honest intentions. While many more people are speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi nowadays, the pool is relatively limited with regards to potential baby daddies that met my other requirements. AND, I made this list of requirements for my future husband wayyyyy before my husband and I got together.
Now as my older daughter is transitioning to the next milestone, preschool, I also think about how fortunate we are to have the option to send our daughter to a Hawaiian immersion preschool where she will not only learn ma ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, but will also learn Hawaiian culture.
And it is all due to the tireless work and movement that our lāhui has set the path for us to walk upon, e mau ke ea ka ʻāina i ka pono. E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi!