LOVE ON A PONTOON

"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.

As time passes, remember...

Like a star should your love be constant,

Like the earth should your love be firm.

Possess one another, yet be understanding.

Have patience with one another,

For storms will come, and they will go quickly,

Forced to dissipate in the light of your love.

Be free in giving of affection and warmth.

Have no fear, and let not the ways or words of the unenlightened 

give you unease.

For the Old Gods are with you,

Now and Always."

Kristin and Michael got married a little over a month ago. My nature-loving daughter has always has a special fondness for our rustic little cabin in the wilds of northern Wisconsin, and it didn't take much cajoling to convince Michael to get married there.  Surrounded by the lush summer woods, the clear blue sky, and the pristine waters of Presque Isle Lake, they affirmed their love upon the bow of a pontoon boat.

I have waited to write about the wedding because I wasn't sure I could convey the overflowing joy that I felt. And, to be honest I am still not sure that I can. Kristin was radiant all weekend. Michael couldn't stop smiling. I was certainly caught up in the magic.

On Friday afternoon, August 8, we cruised the lake aboard our big, beautiful wedding barge. Just minutes after we stopped for the ceremony,  Lukas accidentally dropped Molly's cell phone in the lake. It didn't take long before someone spotted the phone in the water, and in a flash Austin whipped off his sports jacket, shirt and shoes and dove in to retrieve it. With phone in hand, he climbed back aboard the boat, put his jacket back on, ran his fingers through his hair, and proceeded to perform the ceremony! The incident calmed the nerves and made a fun 'wedding mishap' story!

Kristin and Michael spoke to one another about companionship, commitment, and respect. They promised to be each another's anchor in any rough waters that may lay ahead, they vowed to let their love be the powerful sun that could break away any dark cloud, and to be the other's mate for life-always at the helm of their shared destiny.

The wedding was lovely, simple and heartfelt. The day was glorious from beginning to end. The weather was perfect. The backdrop was gorgeous-loons, eagles and blue heron all in attendance. And, most importantly, we all shared it as a newly formed family. A family born of happiness and love.

CONGRATULATIONS MOLLY AND LUKAS!

Our youngest daughter, Molly, and her boyfriend, Lukas, are engaged! They are estatically happy....and it is infectious. We are all thrilled about their engagement and upcoming wedding.

So, we are in 'wedding planning' mode here. Our conversations now are all about wedding ceremonies, venue locations, guest lists, 'Save The Date' cards, engagement photographs, etc. etc. etc.

How different wedding planning is now then it was thirty-seven years ago when Tom and I got married. We choose a date in October (3 months after we got engaged) that didn't compete with an opening hunting season (seriously), went and talked to the priest we wanted to marry us to make sure he was available that day, booked the church, and began our preparations.  We asked a friend who owned a restaurant if he would do a pig roast in the park near our home for our reception. I made our wedding invitations and sent them; bought an ivory colored dress from my favorite department store. We wrote our vows. When our wedding day came, we were ready.  It was a very simple affair: a big picnic shared with family and friends under a canopy of crimson and gold colored trees. A magical day.

Molly's wedding will be much different then mine. She (and I) will work on her wedding for almost a year. There will be details upon details upon details to work out.

And, I know that Molly and Lukas' wedding day will also be incredibly magical. It couldn't help but be anything else......but, it makes me laugh to think how different our journeys will have been to get to the same place. (: