It happened wonderfully and beautifully and romantically. We couldn't have had things go better. People were sweet and kind and loving and giving. Family was fabulous and sweet and wonderful. The kids were fantastic - and even though we wanted to pull Johnny off the church pedestal, on which he was planking, even that was memorable. Possibly sacrilegious, but memorable. Neither Twinkie nor I were able to talk to everyone present, but we did talk to some people. The food was really, really good. Surprisingly good.
At the last minute our room was moved to the bigger room at Fantasy Farm. The room had floor to ceiling windows along one wall that faced out into the forest (and a bit of the parking lot ;)). All 60 of the little candles in mason jars, surrounded by coffee beans, were used in the room, and lit at sundown.
For me, having the bridal party and parents dance out to "Born This Way" was incredibly impactful and important, and between than and the beautiful ceremony, and really everything else, made us wish we really had had a videographer.
Our MC was amazing, and sang beautifully at the end of the evening. Our ushers were classy and marvellous. One usher also sang beautifully at the end of the evening.The readers read exquisitely! All five of the kids in the ceremony were gorgeous and sweet and we were touched that they were there, and also touched that they all signed the "Certificate" of Marriage (non-legal) that we will frame. No problem that some of them signed on top of someone else's signature, they all signed.
All of the bride's maids and other bride's maids and man did an amazing job. It was amazing to have my daughter at my side and to have a meaningful ceremony with my daughter's father and his partner. I know Twinkie feels blessed and honoured to have had her dear friends at her side.
The speeches were exquisite and well-received. The video from the Good Lovelies was incredibly lovely and such a treat. Both of Twinkie's attendees gave great speeches, Creampuff gave a lovely speech. The Palindrome gave a lovely speech - fondly remembering something that hadn't ever occurred, lovely.
And then we flooded the dancefloor - gay and straight, young and old, and we danced!
The day was magical. The limos were magical, even if (apologies) some people had to crawl in them on their hands and feet.
Family members who don't get together often, got together. The menfolk were sweet and loving and fully made up for both of our fathers, who for various reasons did not attend. People flew in and drove in from all corners of the earth to be present with us on our big day.
For me, it was amazing to have my dearest friends in the world, at my side, and in the same room. And it was beyond amazing to have Tiger walk me down the aisle - a trip many years ago that we had considered taking together.
And it was a big day. A really big, long day of ceremony and celebration. And the pictures are beautiful - a snapshot of how it all was - May 5, 2012.
And then it was over. Abruptly. At the end of the night, with much help and very sore feet, the candles were extinguished and the overhead lights went on. Romance and magic evaporating into the cool night. We dismantled the room, packed away things and then all piled into taxis back to the hotel.
In the following weeks, life and its happenings began their circular rhythms. Couples split, jobs were lost, jobs were gained, people moved across the country, people got sick, people moved. Nothing is how it was on that day two months ago. So very much has changed.
And the wedding itself was just a day - when all is said and done and paid for, it was just a day. It was an exquisite day, but the high and glory of that day did not in any way prepare us better for our first post-nuptial argument - when the stakes were so much greater, heavier and more serious than before. When the thought of losing each other actually entered into our minds and frightened both of us down to our cores.
We brought six or seven of the hens and chicks plants back home and had the good sense to plant them in the garden. Two weeks later, we found that despite the bad soil, lack of watering and attention, the hens and chicks had taken root. That fact really centered me. Even my bouquet, hanging upside down in our house, has taken root and somehow gleaned enough moisture from our house air, to grow and continue to flower.
I have a spider plant that my 22 year old daughter gave me when she was 2. It has been split and replanted so many times I can't remember. There have been times that it has died and I've had to start with one or two cuttings to bring it back to good health, and times that it has been burned by frost or sun. But it still grows, and every spring it goes outside to spend the summer in sun.
And back to gardening. Usually back to gardening.
The wedding was much more beautiful than we could have planned and the weekend and day were exquisite. People surprised and delighted us, and were so incredibly helpful - Heather's family and my family were both unbelievably helpful! It was amazing.
And we are married. And we are happily married. And trying each day to keep some of the glory and magic of that coffee candlelit night in our hearts as we muddle through the maze of life.
Yours in love and matrimony,
Cupcake and Twinkie
