… but by the moments that take your breath away. I can’t find a source for this quote but it is one of the most inspirational texts for me.
Another is one that I found on a piece of beautiful swirly red scrapbook paper in the US, a quote from Goethe: We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.
The last few weeks have whirled by, what with new job and travel to Sydney and visits from friends, but most constant through it is the gooey usness of sitting together with Jezebel (she made it out of mandatory detention safely, unlike that poor man this week), or kissing in the checkout line, or snuggling in the morning.
I realise I haven’t written up the wedding itself yet (I’ve been waiting for the ‘official photos’ to come through but they haven’t; also I have had no time).
I remember grinning like a loon most of the day. I remember our goblet pouring ceremony again. This time Doug pledged to bring ‘whimsy’ to the relationship after he had been barely audible and then yelled “I’m here!” when asked to declare his intentions. Our vows were terrific — from Seline’s book, not written by us, but great —
I, Douglas,
promise you Rosanne, to be your love, companion and friend,
Your ally in conflict, your comrade in adventure,
Your consolation in adversity, your confederate in revelry,
Your accomplice in mischief and your partner in parenthood.
I pledge my love to you
And joyfully accept the commitments of this, our marriage.
The looks in each others’ eyes on ‘your accomplice in mischief’ were great. I love our rings: mine white gold with champagne amber, cognac amber and garnet, Doug’s red gold with the same stones. Again, photos later I guess. Dancing to ‘our song’ (“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol) was delightful and romantic until the partner of Dad’s friend Rusty came over and tapped us mid-kiss and gruffly said, “We have to go. We have better things to do.” He has a very strange sense of humour. The cake was delicious and looked fantastic. The food was amazing — I’m still so incredibly chuffed that Jess found gluten-free, vegie catering with the Asylum Seeker’s Resource Centre so that our wedding helped people! The organic wine was delicious but we ordered for a hot day and misjudged completely. Many wonderful people followed our requests and donated to charities on our behalf instead of giving us presents. We have yet to send out thank you cards, but we will. We forgot to get people to sign the guest book. We remembered to ask for speeches and we got some lovely ones and also Dad going off on some tangent about whether Sydney or Melbourne has better food.
It was a wonderful day. If I am shaped and fashioned by what I love, then I look forward to discovering what I become, my love.