WEDDING WEEKEND

Wow!! What a weekend. The highlight being 2 wedding ceremonies that we attended on Saturday. The first was a re-commitment ceremony at our church. This couple had been through a very rough year and chose to renew their vows 17 years to the date that they first married. They came down the aisle as a family and each child participated in the ceremony. I don't cry very easy...but I have to say that tears welled up in my eyes several times. They truly represent what it means to become "one". I admire this couple very much and they way they have walked this journey together.

Our second wedding was at the Western Reseve Historical Museum. It was a Jewish ceremony for a young Russian couple. I loved the tradition of the ceremony. The Bride came down the aisle with her parents to the song "Sunrise Sunset" from Fiddler.
The Bride had to circle her groom 3 times as a symbol of forming protection around him. She looked like Cinderella. Earlier in the day, the Groom had to come to the house of the Bride and "pay" the Father for his daughter. He had to drink a certain drink and then he had to search for his bride. Based on some clues...he finally found where his bride was. A ribbon is placed on the door of where she is waiting. SHe was actually in my neighbor's living room. The groom finds his bride and they go to the wedding together.

The reception was incredible. Our children were invited so they were able to experience this with us. We sat down to a 9 course meal which included lobster and other russian foods we did not recognize. We tried everything and can I say that I love caviar.

The entire reception was in Russian. We left at 11:30 pm and they had yet to even cut the cake. For everyone that stayed...breakfast was served at 1:00 am. There was no chicken dance, hokey pokey, or electric slide, but the all russian band kept the crowd happy as they danced many traditinal russian dances. I forgot to mention one of our courses came to the table with "sparklers" lit. Also, when the bride and groom danced their first dance, miniature fireworks went off on the stage, along with smoke. It was a wonderful experience. For a moment...I wished that I was Russian. They are a very tight community and seem very family oriented. Occasionally someone would come to our English speaking table and translate.

The weekend was topped off with a quick trip to West Virginia.