Our wedding day

A "wedding"

So many years ago, but

We did it our way

Without fuss

Without negotiations

Without gold ornaments

Without flowers or fruits and silver trays

Without family and friends and all that noise

Without chapels, bridesmaids, bells, bouquets, rings or sacred fires.

No pretty little flower girls in flouncy pale cream dresses, 

Wreaths and ribbons in hair, 

Baskets held in chubby little hands

Dainty confetti flying through the air, 

All was absent from our day of commitment.

No fuss was made over the colour of satin that lined heart shaped pillows to hold our wedding rings. 

We wear no rings. 

Yet, here we are together.

No drunken uncles getting hot and sweaty as they danced in uncomfortable suits 

No plump aunties decorated in silk and shimmering makeup, 

As they dabbed tissue on their sweaty upper lips, 

Gold and flowers draped about those massive bosoms and elaborate hairdos... 

All the people...

such as those to be expected at such a serious commitment as this, 

Were far away

Living their ordinary lives, 

In their ordinary clothes.

Caring for their children, pets and grandchildren. 

Fussing over bills to be paid, holidays to be taken, and broken water heaters.

Unaware of our thoughts and feelings at this life changing moment. 

Unaware of the existence of this bond until years later. 

Yet, here we are together.

Unlike the wedding cake of my parent's wedding day, a divine towering masterpiece crafted from sugar... 

Many delicately designed tiers balancing precariously on dainty white pillars. 

No... an elaborate cake wasn't cut when we made our pledge.

Instead, it was some cheap, forgettable pastry over hot cups of coffee one very wet morning after a night of heavy rain. 

And yet we won't forget how it tasted on that day.

We didn't follow traditions of centuries before 

Or ancient rites followed for generations

No walking around a fire 

No unity candle

No first dance

No wedding bands were worn on our fingers

But I do remember that we had walked holding hands, our bare fingers entwined, quickly but carefully, stepping over puddles that morning so we wouldn't splatter muddy water on our clothes as we walked to that insignificant office building to register our marriage.

©️ Rebecca Manari