Today I went uptown to NYC Pier 90 to marry Melissa & Robby on the Carnival Miracle. Melissa wore a strapless beaded gown with red sash, and carried a red rose & red gerbera daisy bouquet. Robby was turned out in black suit and red tie to match his bride. They had an altar memorial with a vase of roses to remember their loved ones, and chose their own readings for the ceremony, including: Union, by Robert Fulghum You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same. For after today you shall say to the world – This is my husband. This is my wife.
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Touched
By an Angel, Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of love's light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.
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Robby & Me
lissa's reception followed in the Miracle's Frankenstein Lounge, the ship disco--one of my favorite rooms on the ship given my love of old monster movies! (And kind of a funny ironic nod to "Bride of Frankenstein," doh!)
Melissa & her father danced to Butterfly Kisses, and Robby danced to Song for Mama with his Mom & his auntie. Their wedding cake had their initials as a cake topper, and the ship board buffet featured decorative carved watermelon & sushi. Best Man John and Maid of Honor Sonia, both friends of the Bride & Groom since grade school, gave heartfelt toasts.
Congratulations Melissa & Robby--now sailing off to honeymoon in the Caribbean!
Kimberly & Jorge were married in the ship's big theatre, 
The bride & groom had a large wedding party 
