Have you ever been to a wedding that had a) People singing a good luck song in Dutch, b) traditional Jewish crushing of the wine glasses, and c) the bride and groom exchanging garlands and placing sindhoor on the forehead of the bride, as is done in India ?
Yes, all three of those things were part of a wedding I was a part of this weekend when my son, Erik got married. Atypical, to say the least, but they are unique and special people, so the blend of cultural traditions at their ceremony fit right in. None of us knew that the Dutch singing was going to happen, except for the master of ceremony, my daughter-in-law's 89-year old grandfather, who is sharp as a tack, and obviously still knows how to sing in Dutch. There was no wedding rehearsal, and all of us figured we would "wing" it when the time came, and it all came off perfectly--until, that is, Erik forgot the ring he was to give to Michelle. They laughed it off, and that's what they are all about--they have a much less stressful outlook on life than most people, so I have a lot of confidence that they can make the long haul. Watching your child get married is a pretty huge milestone. Two years ago, I witnessed Erik's younger brother, Greg, graduate from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, and was overwhelmed in the same way. I think most parents who have been through these moments just can't help but pull old snapshots out of your mind's archives--them playing little league, running around in the yard, crawling around in diapers, proudly holding their first fish, camping in Boy Scout uniforms--as you watch them in a suit exchanging vows, or stand in a crisp military uniform on a parade deck. It puts your own life span, your past and future, in humbling perspective. I hope you all get a chance to experience those moments. It makes every moment of agony, worry, and fatigue you spent as a parent worth it and more. The lump in your throat will feel the size of the football, but you'll never be the same, because you know your kids won't be either.
Yes, all three of those things were part of a wedding I was a part of this weekend when my son, Erik got married. Atypical, to say the least, but they are unique and special people, so the blend of cultural traditions at their ceremony fit right in. None of us knew that the Dutch singing was going to happen, except for the master of ceremony, my daughter-in-law's 89-year old grandfather, who is sharp as a tack, and obviously still knows how to sing in Dutch. There was no wedding rehearsal, and all of us figured we would "wing" it when the time came, and it all came off perfectly--until, that is, Erik forgot the ring he was to give to Michelle. They laughed it off, and that's what they are all about--they have a much less stressful outlook on life than most people, so I have a lot of confidence that they can make the long haul. Watching your child get married is a pretty huge milestone. Two years ago, I witnessed Erik's younger brother, Greg, graduate from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, and was overwhelmed in the same way. I think most parents who have been through these moments just can't help but pull old snapshots out of your mind's archives--them playing little league, running around in the yard, crawling around in diapers, proudly holding their first fish, camping in Boy Scout uniforms--as you watch them in a suit exchanging vows, or stand in a crisp military uniform on a parade deck. It puts your own life span, your past and future, in humbling perspective. I hope you all get a chance to experience those moments. It makes every moment of agony, worry, and fatigue you spent as a parent worth it and more. The lump in your throat will feel the size of the football, but you'll never be the same, because you know your kids won't be either.
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