After a lengthy courtship my partner and I decided to get married. Let me start at the beginning. We are what you would call an 'elderly couple' who have been together for over five years. Our respective children all get on so well and we have spent many joyous Shabbat evenings and Yom Tovim together. When we told our children and grandchildren that we were planning on getting married, there were many tears of joy and happiness from both families. We decided that there was no point in waiting and arranged a wedding within a month.
Everything was 'on track' and then I got a call from Rebbitzen Feigie Hazdan requesting me to come and see her. "What could she possibly tell me that I didnt already know?" I thought. Having been through the 'school of life' I thought there was nothing much regarding marriage that I didnt know. Feigie spent two hours explaining the meaning of the Mitzvah of going to the Mikvah - and all that it represents in the life of a Jewess. I found her talk and video interesting and realized that the Mikvah is a time for personal communication with Hashem and something I knew was important. However, the negativity expressed by my secular friends made me have feelings of trepidation. I did all the preparation as was instructed, and my daughter and I arrived at the Great Park Mikvah to be greeted by a lovely lady who put me at ease immediately.
My goodness - talk about five star! Beautiful appointments - lovely warm towels, gown and slippers and everything a woman could want to make her feel comfortable and special. The Attendant explained the details to me and when I immersed myself in the warm comfort of the water and was left alone, I experienced such emotion and a spiritual connection to Hashem that I just cried and prayed for our families and for all our loved ones who are no longer with us. I realised then just how important and meaningful this experience is and can only say that I look forward to going again before Yom Kippur!
http://www.greatmikvah.com/