Pastor John Cowan softly closed his leather bound book with a smile.
As we stood before him he said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
A twinkle in his eye betrayed delight as he turned his attention to me and continued with, “You may now kiss the bride.” I lifted her veil and did so, right there in front of the author of the little leather bound book and everyone else in the room, including my mom, Mary Ann Kelly.
Life had hardened her a bit by then but not enough that she couldn’t shed a few tears in disbelief that there was actually a woman on this earth who was crazy enough to claim me as her own.
There were many other witnesses in the little mountain chapel that day..
..some whom we could see and a lot whom we could not.
In the pews of pine there sat her mom, Phyllis, and her maternal grandparents, Don and Peg. On the opposite side a few of my cousins watched and behind them were some longtime friends of mine.
Friends of hers took up the rear on the other side, and eventually they all became friends of ours.
Family from either side sat here and there while in the mist there stood the friends and family that we had invited with a prayer – her uncle Ted, my Dad, her uncle Robert whom she had never known because he was lost to a war of long ago, and others.
They stood unseen, but we could feel their love and approval that day.
Nobody but the author of the little leather bound book knew for certain where we would be in twenty-one years,
..but we hoped, and that hope held us together, along with contentment and most important of all, love for one another.
On this day twenty-one years ago I took Pastor John’s suggestion to heart and lifted the veil to kiss the one who I knew that I couldn’t live without, and she kissed me back and the room full of the seen and the unseen approved and hoped right along with us.
Over the years we have seen changes that have challenged that hope..
..my mom has gone on to join the world of the unseen, to be followed by my beloved’s cherished grandmother, Peg.
Certain friends have drifted from our life together and are writing their own futures without us. We have been destitute and blessed, sometimes within weeks of either one. Sickness has at times battered us and depression has vainly tried to make us widows.
But through it all one has had the other to count on, to offer support, and to lift up and cherish.
One has had the other to love, and that love has made it all worth living.
Dave and Dorian at Camp Nelson Chapel, about 15 years after the big day
Happy 21st anniversary, my dearest.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
The secret to having a chance at happiness together is not a commitment to each other so much as the commitment to face what life brings, together, & let that bring you together. It’s not possible to put up w/each other by sheer power of will or to be eternally patient. After all, we’re only human & what fun would we be otherwise? Instead, choose a partner to navigate the journey with, not someone you expect to make you happy or — God-forbid — looks good at your side or makes sense on paper; no, just someone you travel well with. Take on life’s challenges together & you’ll find each other less challenging as the things that could destroy you fall away (some sooner, some slower, others eventually but all in time). Rather than a forced patience w/each other, be patient w/life & just discover each other along the way. Thank you, Dave, for being one hell of an absofuckinglutely bitchen travel companion & damn fanfuckingtastic man to boot. In case you haven’t guessed by now, I really do love you.
(|_|*to us*|_|)
“I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.” ~ Rita Rudner
Dorian aka coffeesister´s brilliant babbling..YOU so silly!
Happy anniversary, dear honorary Godparents! <3
K, I read that outloud to her and we both went “aww!” hehe.. thanks.
Y’all are gonna make me cry. How truly sweet you two. Thank you for being an inspiration. Happy Anniversary!
P.S. Dave, this is the kind of writing that is going to take you places. Keep it up!
Rene´s brilliant babbling..Road Trip USA Takes You to the Real America
ssssweeeeeeeeeet…
Jim´s brilliant babbling..A Letter to Lalla
Very nice…I am working on something for 32 years…of course I will have to auto post because I will be on a walking tour of Scotland and he will be here – hopefully surrounded by lots of Green work …and designing
Very nice job….congratulations to you both…hugs all around
Patricia´s brilliant babbling..And The Winner Is!
Thanks all. Patricia, I’m-a going to do that meme.. maybe. Thinkin’ about it.
I’ll read it for sure
Happy Anniversary to you both! I’m so happy for you two! <3
shweet… here’s to many many more happy memories together.
You two are an inspiration, happy anniversary!
Thanks Jenny, Jim and Rene!