Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, have been together for more than 20 years. They have two sons, Zackary and Elijah, and they are working hard to raise them to be humble and understand the value of money.
Sir Elton John is a famous musician with 32 albums and shows no signs of slowing down. At 73, he still gets many gig bookings.
Even though Sir Elton John has had a successful career for over 30 years, he is now focusing more on his personal life, including his marriage to David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
Before becoming a parent, John and Furnish had a whirlwind romance that began in 1993. John said he returned to his home in Windsor and wanted to meet new people, so he asked a friend to organize a dinner. David Furnish was among the guests, and John felt an immediate connection with him. He liked that Furnish was a bit shy and dressed nicely.
The next day, they went on a date, which led to their long-term relationship. They were in a civil partnership for nine years and got married in 2014. They shared their wedding day with their sons, who were ring bearers, and posted about it on Instagram.
For John and Furnish, sharing their special day with their kids was heartwarming, especially since their journey to becoming parents was challenging. In 2009, they connected with a Ukrainian boy named Lev at an orphanage for children with HIV. They wanted to help him because he came from a broken family, but the government didn’t allow it since Lev was considered too old. Despite this, they continued to support and talk to him
Meeting Lev made John realize that he could become a father. He admitted he never thought he’d have kids because he felt too old. Shortly after, they had their first son, Zachary, in 2010 via surrogate, and their second son, Elijah, in 2013.
**Raising Kids Out of the Spotlight**
Even with their busy lives, the couple wanted to be very involved in their children’s lives. “We don’t want to leave raising our kids to nannies and housekeepers,” said Furnish. Becoming parents was the best decision for them, and their main goal now is to raise their sons to be happy and healthy.
John wrote a touching letter to his sons, saying how much they have changed his life. “Zachary and Elijah, you are the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. You’ve filled my heart with love and my life with purpose and meaning in ways I didn’t think were possible,” the singer wrote.
John and Furnish are proud of their family and want their children to always remember the love and support they will receive from their parents.
Since becoming parents, John has talked about how his views on life have changed. He and his husband now focus more on spending quality time with their sons than on material things. John admitted that they used to spend a lot before having kids, but now they have cut back and focus on only what they need.
The couple has also been teaching their children about the value of money and the effort needed to earn it. John knows his kids have a comfortable life but wants them to stay humble. He doesn’t plan to leave them his entire estate. Instead, he wants to provide a good life while keeping them grounded. He explained:
“Of course, I want to leave my boys in a good financial position. But giving kids everything can ruin their lives.”
From when their sons were toddlers, John has worked to teach them about money. At ages five and three, Zachary and Elijah might not have fully grasped their parents’ fame, but John and Furnish taught them about saving and spending.
Back in 2016, John shared that the boys would earn £3 ($3.74) for doing chores around the kitchen or garden. They would then split their money into three categories: charity, savings, and spending. As they grew older, their chores included cleaning their rooms, and they earned stars for each task they completed.
Although their children’s lives are far from ordinary, John and Furnish strive to keep things as normal as possible. John mentioned that their kids live like local children and are not isolated behind the gates of a mansion.
When asked about raising his kids in the spotlight, John acknowledged the challenges but said he finds the public “brilliant” and “not hostile.” He doesn’t mind taking photos with his family and enjoys spending time with them outside their home, like going out for pizza or a movie.
John makes sure not to miss important moments with his children due to his fame. He often picks them up and drops them off at school.
**Elton John Shows Off His Sons**
John and his husband usually keep their sons away from social media, but the “Rocket Man” singer recently shared a rare photo of Furnish, their sons, and their godmother, Lady Gaga. John expressed his sadness at not being able to join them for the photo but sent his love.
The Art of Selecting the Perfect Watermelon: A Guide to Sweetness and Ripeness…
The quest for the perfect watermelon is a summer tradition, synonymous with the pursuit of the sweetest, juiciest fruit to grace picnics and gatherings. This guide distills the essence of selecting a watermelon that promises to be both ripe and sweet, ensuring your summer days are filled with the refreshing taste of this beloved fruit.
Understanding Watermelon Ripeness
The journey to finding the perfect watermelon begins with an examination of the stem. A brown stem signifies a watermelon that ripened naturally on the vine, absorbing the sun’s warmth and the soil’s nutrients until it reached peak maturity. In contrast, a green stem indicates a premature pick, where the fruit was plucked before its time, leaving its potential sweetness untapped.
The Significance of the Yellow Spot
A key indicator of a watermelon’s ripeness is the presence of a yellow spot. This spot, often found on the belly of the fruit, tells a story of the watermelon’s time basking in the sun. A pronounced yellow spot is a testament to the watermelon’s adequate sun exposure, contributing to its ripeness. A faint white spot, or the absence of one, suggests a lack of sunbathing, leading to a less ripe fruit.
Assessing Firmness and Sound
The texture and sound of a watermelon provide critical clues to its internal state. Gently pressing on the watermelon should reveal a slight give, indicating ripeness. A watermelon that feels too hard and unyielding suggests it is underripe. Moreover, the sound a watermelon makes when tapped can reveal its water content—a hollow sound signifies a fruit bursting with water, while a dull sound may indicate a lack of juiciness.
Putting Theory into Practice
With these insights, the pursuit of the perfect watermelon becomes an informed search for specific traits: a brown stem, a prominent yellow spot, a slight give upon pressing, and a hollow sound when tapped. These indicators, when present together, promise a watermelon that is not only ripe but also abundantly sweet and juicy.
Upon bringing your selected watermelon home, the moment of truth arrives as you cut into the fruit. A ripe watermelon will reveal a deep red flesh, an indicator of its concentrated sweetness. The texture will be crisp, yet tender, filled with succulent juices that confirm its ripe status. The taste test is the final verification, where the sweetness of the watermelon fulfills the promise of a meticulously selected fruit.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor
Selecting the perfect watermelon is an art form that combines observation, touch, and sound. The reward for this careful selection process is a watermelon that enhances summer meals and gatherings with its optimal sweetness and hydration. Whether enjoyed in slices, cubes, or as part of a refreshing salad, the perfect watermelon stands as a testament to the joy of summer eating.
The journey to finding the perfect watermelon is marked by attention to detail and an appreciation for the subtle cues nature provides. By following these guidelines, you can elevate your watermelon selection process, ensuring that each fruit you bring home meets the criteria for ripeness and sweetness. Embrace the challenge, and let the quest for the perfect watermelon become a cherished summer ritual.
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