The bride and groom.
The bride and groom.
Roddy and Meisha have cared for each other a long time and have built a rich life together. They have a spacious, gracious house, filled with cats and an enthusiastic dog. They put much work into renovating the house. In the kitchen, you can see the cabinets they assembled. They have become a part of the Troy community, making many friends and becoming involved in revitalizing Prospect Park.
And now they have gotten married. A day of swirling joy, a day of celebration, a day when they were surrounded by family and friends, the community of people who love them, who have nurtured them throughout their their lives and who will go on to support them in their marriage.
The best man and the ring bearer.
The event drew on many ancient traditions, but was customized to be a unique expression of what Meisha and Roddy are about. It was well-organized, with a touching ceremony followed by good food, and good music. There were many people there whom I didn't know, but they welcomed me with such warmth.
It was held at Prospect Park, a place which is a part of their lives. Rilke, their dog, served as ring-bearer. The words of the ceremony expressed their perspectives on what their love is about. The words painted a picture of two people who respect each other's uniqueness and care for each other with compassion and kindness.
The dinner included an array of dishes to keep both meat eaters and vegetarians happy. At my place I had 4 glasses, 3 forks, 2 spoons, and 1 knife. Later, there was an abundance of tasty desserts, including rich chocolaty brownies and strawberries with cream.
The music played for the dancing was all selected by Meisha and Roddy, and they did a great job. Their selections inspired me to dance the night away. Dancing was a great way to celebrate with joyous abandon.
The dancing was paused at one point for the cake. Meisha and Roddy cut a piece and fed each other. Meanwhile, When I'm 64 was playing. In this moment, I imagined the future, with Roddy and Meisha delighting in each other's company and caring for each other for many years as they grow old together.
Often, books and movies tell the story of a couple who meet and fall in love. The end of the story comes when the couple proclaims their love for each other or gets engaged or gets married. In such stories, a wedding is viewed as a happy ending. At other times, weddings are presented as a time of new beginnings. I think that Meisha and Roddy's wedding was neither a beginning nor an end, but a joyous marker in their long, loving, and rich life together.
Photos by Chia-Ling Tsai.
Web site, including photo editing and text, by
Terry Hayden.