The Wedding

I love weddings. I love the build up to the big day, the pre-wedding jitters of the couple in question, and anticipation and the formalization of the union. It is all great fun.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of participating in Mike and Randy's big day. From helping with the invitations, to the decorating, to meeting his family, it was truly a wonderful experience.

And it was also full of the usual wedding day glitches. Let me explain (and I do so with the utmost love and respect for Mike and Randy):

1) As one of the photographers of the event, I arrived Friday anticipating taking family photos as the entire clan had not been together for a number of years. While waiting for all the family to arrive, I had the honor of peeling 50 pound of potatoes for the salad. Unfortunately, Randy's Mom and Mike's Father and step-Mom did not arrive until late in the evening, so the pictures had to wait. We did however, have the good fortune of being served one of Mikes fantastic meals, and to partake in a beautiful bottle of 30 year old Port. YUM!

2)The highly anticipated wedding day! We arrived to take more formal pictures of the family, but the boys were not yet ready. And the family members were scampering about trying to finish decorating. While no formal pictures got taken that day, we did get the decorations up. But then we had a minor disaster as Randy's pants were not hemmed up by the tailor, so we ended up taping them up and praying they would hold. And on the ride to the meeting house, Mike was anxious (oh yes you were!) as Randy kept pretending not to know his vows. So they were written on a cheat sheet in the event he forgot. And when as we made our pit stops to put up balloons for people to use as markers, we noted some nasty children playing near our chosen site. Needless to say, the balloons appeared to have been popped when we drove past them on our way back to the farm. Bastards! They will burn in hell.

3) The ceremony. It was a beautiful, simple, exchange of vows. It truly expressed the deep love and affection Mike and Randy have for each other, and the commitment to each other that we know they both have. But then there was the ring incident. As Mike placed the wedding band on Randy's finger, it got stuck. It would not move. Randy joked that he and gotten fat overnight, but the bottom line was that the ring wasn't moving. Luckily, Mike's step-Mom Peggy had some liquid hand sanitizer in her purse, and with a quick dab the ring slid on.

4) The rain. Oh there was rain! After we left the meeting house it started to sprinkle...then pour. But as Randy said, it forced everyone to socialize under the porch, instead of separating into their own groups. I learned that they have a very diverse group of friends who love them as much as I do.

5) The meal and reception. Simply put...amazing. The meal was catered by their neighbor and the food was fantastic. And while the mosquito's got a little thick towards the end, it was a relaxed and joyous affair. All the things a wedding should be.

6) Day 1 of married life. I arrived Sunday morning to finally get the pictures of the whole family together. The sun was shining and it was lovely and warm. As I pulled up the driveway, I waved to Randy who yelled "You missed it! It was yesterday!" I know why Mike loves him.

When Mike was trying to explain to me the Quaker belief system, I must admit I had some trouble with the concept. I got it in my head that during the moments of silence that occur, each member was looking for enlightenment in some form. In looking up the word in my old dictionary, I found the word Enlightened to be defined as such: well informed, tolerant, unprejudiced.

How truly descriptive of this couple! Well informed describing their knowledge in their professional lives, their chosen life as farmers, and of course, regarding the needs of each other. Tolerant..who has learned more about tolerance than a person who has been discriminated against? Unprejudiced....who is more unprejudiced then a person who has had to rise above the thoughts and beliefs of others in order to live their life according to who they are instead of who they are expected to be?

To Mike and Randy...I wish you continued success in your lives. You are an inspiration.