A few months ago (I know, I know I am VERY behind in blogging) two of our (me and my boyfriend, Will) favorite people tied the knot. Will had served with Tony, one of the grooms, on his boat, the USS Norfolk for a few years and became close friends. Tony is one of those people who light up any room he's in and his happiness and good nature are contagious. His now husband, Scott, is just as wonderful and we were deeply honored to share in their special day.
Will and I had been to quite a few weddings the past 2 years together, but this was our first attendance at a gay wedding and let me tell you it was our absolute favorite. The theme/dress was nautical casual. We had to google it, but ended up coming up with something we hoped would pass. We arrived at the property where the wedding was being held and were blown away. The house was a gorgeous 2 story home that was incredibly decorated, but the best part? It was situated on a river over looking their personal pier with a boat dock on a picturesque river with gardens lining the yard. The wedding itself was taking place near the pier and the reception under a white tent in the yard. Another neat part about the house was the owners. They were also a gay couple who were crucial getting legislation passed in Congress to legalize gay marriage. Being a part of something so special that wasn't yet legal throughout the US was touching to say the least.
The wedding began as everyone took their seats and the groom (Scott) took his position and diligently waited for his groom. We were wondering where Tony was going to enter and to our shock we saw a boat round the corner of the river as music began to play. Dressed in his Navy whites, Tony was standing attention at the bow of a small boat with his best man as they sailed in to the pier where we were all waiting patiently. The siblings of both grooms greeted Tony as he stepped off the boat and hugs were exchanged. I've always seen parents do this, but siblings are largely ignored most of the time. They really included the entire family before they even began their official ceremony. It was nothing short of beautiful. At this point, I'm getting slightly teary- eyed. I noticed my boyfriend's grip on my hand had been tighter than normal and I heard a slight sniff from his direction. I looked over and he was crying. I've never seen him cry before and to make that man cry... well... you know how amazing this wedding was.
Vows were exchanged, and the kiss that marked a new beginning was given to cheers and claps from a small, but boisterous crowd. After everything was said and done we got to line up to give our regards/well wishes and were ushered inside for the most mind blowing assortment of hors d'oeuvres you could imagine... crab cake balls, sliced peppers with hummus, fruit, veggies, sliders, BBQ, etc. What could top that? An oyster roast out on the pier with oysters from the owners' mini oyster farm growing by the pier. (HOW AM I EVER GOING TO TOP THIS?....without going bankrupt lol)
At previous weddings, I'm lucky to get 2 slow dances from Will without profuse amounts of complaining. Tony, knowing Will quite well, dragged him on to the dance floor, gave him more beer, and made him dance. From that moment on I could barely get him off the dance floor. Yes beer was involved in bribes, but it worked and he actually had a really great time. Pictures will prove that. We danced for close to a few hours in between dinner and meeting new people and socializing. There was a group of about 6 of us who tore up the dance floor and kept the party going. Little did we know that there was a woman in her mid 50s who recently suffered a loss and this wedding was her first time being out in a large group. She came up to us later and thanked us profusely for making her laugh and for the first time in a long time for keeping her mind off the negative. Dancing like a fool at weddings is my thing and now no one can argue that it doesn't do anyone any good. Clearly interpretive, weird dancing has made a few peoples' nights.
Once everyone started leaving we made our exit as well after hugging both grooms a few times and thanking them 100x more. That night is one of my favorites I've had in a long time. It's also one of those times where I realized just how much more I loved Will after dancing with him all night knowing how much he hates it and how much it meant to me. Those people I met made my laugh hysterically and celebrate the union of two of the most deserving people I know. Tony and Scott's wedding was definitely one for the books.
"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity."--Albert Schweitzer
