This weekend I went to THE BEST WEDDING EVER.
First, it was a lesbian wedding and I had never been to one. Seeing the couple so happy and in love and ready to share a life together (combined with lovely poetry made even more fabulous by being read by a British chick) was the most special thing on the planet. Combined with a hippy mother presenting a pueblo-style animal god incarnate vase, a short serious talk about not being able to be legally married, and ample amounts of champagne, I was definitely holding back some tears, often unsuccessfully.
It was at a gorgeous ranch north of Santa Barbara. Everyone stayed on the ranch and drank and was merry for the weekend. The next morning we got up, took a little hike, and then stripped down to our underwear to jump into a deep natural pool with a WATERFALL flowing into it for Christ's sake.
Before this weekend, I had always thought of weddings as this kind of... well, lame thing to be honest. At all the ones I had been to, someone's drunken uncle had always been obnoxious and scary, or someone had made the bride cry, or I was just young and didn't know the people that well and was bored. Additionally, being married seemed pretty fucking awful. As the product of two people divorced multiple times, I didn't exactly grow up with the nicest thoughts on the subject. I mean occasionally I would see friends' parents that seemed truly happy, but I figured that this was the exception rather that the rule.
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In fact (and I am extremely ashamed to say this), when gay marriage was made illegal in California I didn't think it was necessarily the worst thing. I mean I was extremely opposed on it based on the fact that everyone needs to get treated equally and if some stupid couples want the same unhappiness as straight couples they should damn well be able to achieve it! But personally, I didn't really have a problem with the idea of not being able to get married.
I didn't understand that when you know the people getting married, when you really like them and think they are beautiful and amazing people and are obviously meant for each other, seeing them get married (even despite little hiccoughs like the flower girl refusing to go down the aisle or accidentally forgetting to cut the wedding cake) is pretty much one of the most wonderful and fun things you can do.
Weddings are FUN, people.
Did you know that?
I did not.
In October one of my best friends in the whole world is getting married on a ranch in Texas. I already knew her wedding would be awesome because she is awesome and well, frankly, just freakishly good at executing things.
But now I am even more excited. Having been to a fun one I know this one is going to be AMAZING, especially because I'm so close to the bride and groom.
Unfortunately this may mean that I will actually just be bawling the entire time, but, you know, in a happy way.
