November was a whirlwind of happenings for us. There was the election, hosting our young granddaughters for a few days, and then Thanksgiving. But the only thing that mattered most to my family was the marriage of our youngest daughter. It was a fun event with laughter, joy, and unexpected comedy. People came from all over the U.S., Alaska, and even Germany.
There was also pomp and circumstance. How else can I describe six active and retired military men, all in uniform on Veteran’s Day weekend. The groom, a major in the Indiana National Army Guard, four best men (Army and Air Force) and the future father-in-law, my husband, in his 54-year-old Navy Captain uniform (no shapewear, but a bit of tailoring).
The groom is definitely a keeper.
The bride was walked down the aisle by us to Top Gun Maverick’s wedding march. Her birth mother and half-siblings participated in the service. Two days before, the (Navy veteran) pastor got COVID; the pastor that married our oldest daughter 14 years ago jumped in – and nailed it. The personal story the pastor shared with our daughter added levity when she blurted a premature “I do” – before the vows.
Our daughter honored her birth family’s roots with a blessing performed in Hebrew and English by a Torah cantor and then the irreversible breaking of the glass symbolizing that this wedding is permanent so too should this marriage “last an infinity of time.” The service ended with the Yiddish celebratory “Mazel Tov,” shouted in unison by the guests.
It was fun, different, joyous and a true celebration – in today’s fractious times, an event of community. All planned by the bride – an event planner – who describes herself as planning epic events with other people’s money (no comment). She succeeded and it was well worth the expense.
