In Harry Potter’s world, seventeen is the coming-of-age for wizards. Is that because they also need 17 Sickles to make one Galleon, and can buy their first Butter beer? 17 is regarded as the ‘least random number’ by MIT-so if you’re worried about a secure pass code, try another combination of digits.
The song ‘17’ by Smashing Pumpkins is 17 seconds long with no vocals. It is accompanied by a poem that when read aloud will not only conclude at the end of the song, but might use all 17 muscles in the tongue.
People afraid of the number 17 are diagnosed with ‘heptadecaphobia’ or ‘heptakaidekaphobia’. In a psych hospital, patients are called ‘17’. Hmmm.
In Italian culture, 17 is considered an unlucky number. Maybe that’s because in Roman numbers, 17 is written ‘XVII’, which when rearranged to ‘VIXI’ means “I have lived” in Latin.
To write a Japanese Haiku, the poet needs to create 17 syllables. No wonder Italian poets only use 14 lines in their sonnets.The band, The Cure, titled their second (and one of my favorite) albums ‘Seventeen Seconds’. Really-they’re not a Goth band. Lucky for me, the album lasts a lot longer than that.
Seventeen, to me, is nothing to fear. It’s something to celebrate! I actually loved being 17- I graduated from high school, went off to college, and was driving a convertible VW Thing. I never much liked to write Haiku, and if two of my favorite bands use that number in their music, it’s fine with me.
But the best part of seventeen for me is that is symbolizes the number of years that I’ve been married to the man that makes me laugh, that fathered my children, and that tries every day to do his best for me and his family. Happy 17.
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
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Comments: 15
AnneM
November 19, 2011Aww what a cute post! I loved it. Happy anniversary!
mamawolfe
November 14, 2011Hi Jenn~ thanks! We worked for our ski team all weekend, but at least we were together!
Hi Kathy~ thank you!
Hi Dee~ I hope to make it to 34, too. Life and loving…I like that.
Veronica~ thanks!
Inner Chick~thank you…in that photo we both have WAY more hair!
Hey OC~ I’ll drink to that!
Caffeinated OC Mommy
November 14, 2011Happy 17 Darling… and here’s to another 17… Cups Up! xoxo
My Inner Chick
November 13, 2011—What a GREAT post.
You are both Beautiful.
X
Veronica Lee
November 13, 2011Happy 17! And congrats to you two!!
Dee
November 13, 2011Like Sandi, all I knew of 17 was that it was a prime number and that it seems to have an aura of simplicity around it. (Numbers “speak” to me.)
Now I know that it’s the number of years you’ve been married! Congratulations and may you know 34 and then 51 ….. oh the possibilities of life and living… and loving!
Peace.
Kathy
November 13, 2011What a wonderful post!!!! I loved this!! Happy Anniversary! I hope you had a great day, and I wish you much happiness in the coming year!!!
Jenn
November 13, 2011Happy Anniversary! I’m glad you had a good day together 🙂
mamawolfe
November 13, 2011Hi Vanessa~ Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Hi Michael Ann~ Thanks! We are having a great day!
Hi Kim~thanks for following mamawolfe.
Kim Croisant
November 13, 2011Hi new follower here from weekend blog hop.
http://mommieagainblog.blogspot.com
Michael Ann
November 13, 2011Really? Who knew all that about the number 17!! What fun. Happy Anniversary!! You deserve to celebrate. I hope you got to go out to dinner on this busy day!
Vanessa
November 13, 2011Hi, Mamawolfe
Happy Anniversary! Great post!
Vanessa
mamawolfe
November 12, 2011Hi Cassie Mae-thanks!
Sandi~ I hadn’t thought of 17 much either before today! Thanks!
Sandi
November 12, 2011What a great lead-in to announce 17 years of wedded bliss! I hadn’t ever thought much about 17 . . . other than being a prime number! Thanks for many more ways of thinking about 17. Congratulations!
Cassie Mae
November 12, 2011Way cute! Congrats 🙂