Sunday, March 27, 2011

One Week In

Yesterday Mr. W and I celebrated our one-week anniversary. Don't worry, we're not planning to celebrate every week, it just seemed like the first 7 days of wedded bliss deserved dinner and a movie. At the very least.

Before we left for our big night out, Mr. W pulled up some video that a friend had shot during our ceremony. It wasn't anything fancy—just a clip taken with a digital camera. I bawled my eyes out watching it.


Our ceremony was only about 5 minutes long. But it was truly the most special 5 minutes of my life, thus far.

Years ago, I attended a wedding at an estate in Cape Cod where all the guests simply stood nearby as the bride and groom exchanged their vows. It was so intimate. So special. It made all of us feel so integrated into the process. We were right there, at the bride and groom's level. I decided that day that I wanted my wedding ceremony to be structured the same way.

So last Saturday, our guests gathered on the patio of Ramsey's, right at our level, right up by our sides as we said our I do's. I cannot tell you what it was like to walk outside into what felt like a giant circle of love. It was truly amazing. Like I had a hundred arms around me. Like I was enveloped by a gigantic hug.


It wasn't the vows that did me in. Or the exchange of rings. I didn't shed a tear as we spoke to each other and looked into one another's eyes.

It was the kiss that got me. That last punctuation at the end of the story.

Once we kissed, we were officially married. I remember thinking that I should stop kissing him because I felt like I could have gone on forever. I was so excited and overwhelmed and warm from the bodies all around us, I wanted to just keep on celebrating with kiss after kiss. As soon as we parted, on came the tear faucet.

I think that was the only time I cried all night. And it was my favorite part of the night. Coming back up that aisle—as husband and wife. We had done it. Our hearts were sealed. And almost everyone we loved was around us, cheering for what we'd done. Rooting on our relationship. Lifting us up beyond the high we were already on. All to the tune of U2's Everlasting Love.

I don't think a day will come that I'll be able to watch that video without crying.

14 comments:

Mr. W said...

One week down, another 3000 or so to go!

LesleyG said...

Wow. I've never seen a ceremony like that. Very special!

Sizzle said...

This makes me insanely happy. :-)

Mandy_Fish said...

I love your ceremony!

blakspring said...

aaaw, you just got me all teary eyed. so happy you had your beautiful day. congratulations!!!

HunnerWoof said...

I heard it was a great day, and I'm sorry I missed it. And, if you continue to celebrate weekly, I will come down there and kick your a$$. Just sayin.

Anonymous said...

It wasn't the vows that did me in either. It was the bill.

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

You are the definition of a romantic! And you created a ceremony that reflects who you are as a person and who you and Mr. W are as a couple. Purely wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Um... don't you need to be changing the title up there on ye old title bar? Just 'askin...

Lara Watkins said...

I loved the ceremony...and I did plenty of crying for the both of us! What an amazing day! Congrats!

someones mom said...

CONGRATS!! MAY EVERY WEEK BE A SPECIAL "ANNI" FOR YOU BOTH-- SMILES FROM FLORDIA--

laura said...

Good gawd..."they" are reading the blog from Florida?

Congrats again...great wedding...great ceremony, great reception, great couple. :)

XOXO

The Real Mom said...

We couldn't be happier for you. It was the perfect day. Love you both.

Melissa Maris said...

Mr. W - I'll take all the weeks you got, mister.

LesleyG - It was really neat. Not traditional in any sense, but exactly what we wanted.

Sizzle - Thanks. :) I felt the same way.

Mandy - Thank you! The video is even neater.

Blakspring - You're so sweet! Don't go getting all teary over us. :) You'll make me cry!

HunnerWoof - I just won't tell you that we're celebrating weekly, then... ;)

Jeff - Cue the sad trombone...

Nilsa - You're so funny. :) It was pretty romantic.

Geekhiker - I'm actually planning on launching a second blog. I just need to find time between house-organizing and thank you note writing!

Lara - Thanks Lada. I'm so glad you were there for it all.

Someone's Mom - Thank you! We have good examples to follow with you and my parents!

Laura - Hahaha. I can't speak for your mom, but mine can't handle being out of the loop for more than 24 hours.

Mom - Thanks. Wait until you see the video!