Yogis,
It’s hard to believe it was only four weeks ago that I got the call from a
friend asking if I would officiate his niece’s wedding on the beach in
Rehoboth. It was a story we are hearing much too often these days. A large
wedding planned for quite some time that could no longer be. Flights, hotels
and large gatherings not possible at this time.
Should they wait until next year? Have a smaller event in a
church? Find clergy that will marry them in an outdoor space? Elope? All
options that couples in 2020 are feeling their way through. Each offering
unique obstacles. Family members who can’t travel. Local rules that seem to
change daily. A few steps forward, several back and then side to side.
This couple has been together for 9 years already and it was
time. Yes! I responded.
In Covid fashion we met weekly on Zoom to get to know each
other and together plan a ceremony that was meaningful to them. The nuptials to
be done on the beach with our toes in the sand, followed by a reception with eighteen
humans and six dogs under a white tent on my friend’s driveway. It is amazing
how a tent and white twinkly lights can transform a slab of concrete into an
intimate fairyland.
We had it all planned. The procession, the vows and the
shell in which the rings would sit to be blessed. Or so we thought….. but the
one thing you can’t plan is weather…..and the day before we watched with worry the
call for 17 mph gusty winds directly from the east at wedding time. Yikes! What
to do?
Yet again options considered, and alternate locations scoped
out. It would be a game time decision. Two steps forward and one step back.
An hour before the ceremony, the couple headed to the beach
and yes the wedding winds were blowing, but oh well! We were on. Hair up in a ponytail,
papers placed in plastic sheets, and a heavy conch shell grabbed to use as a
paper weight, while five of us literally wrestled with the white fabric to wind
around the wedding arch. Tripod legs buried into the sand for stability for the
zoom attendees.
We turn and here she comes. Lindsay looking stunning in the perfect dress while Kevin nervously smiles from ear to ear, his beam as bright as the sunflower on his lapel. We watched her approach under a magical blue sky. It was simple. It was perfect. It was what it was supposed to be.
Throughout all of the planning, hiccups and disappointments there
had always been one thread running
through the center which was so strong that even a global pandemic could not
stop its path…..their deep love for each other and the choice they had made to
commit themselves in holy matrimony. And isn’t that what a wedding is all
about? Everything else is extra.
As everyone formed a circle around them, we paused to notice
where we were. The rhythmic pounding of the waves our music while the wind
swept briskly through and around us. Wind is the element of air and is the
symbol of our breath. I realized we were all being breathed on by the Universe
and it felt awesome. A wild and wonderful wedding wind.
This was the third wedding I have officiated, and each one has been such an honor and a blessing. Being able to bear witness and provide the container in which love can do the work it does so well.
I introduce to you Mr and Mrs Goff!
SARAH
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