I hesitate to go to weddings, especially when they are weddings of distant relatives that I really don't know. When it's a friend's wedding, I generally do wish them well and would like to be there to witness their big day, but that requires a significant effort on my part to dress up, which I somewhat dread.
Today's wedding not only required me to dress up, but also to drive over an hour to the venue and sit at a table with a majority of people that I didn't really know.
Despite all that, this was a wedding that I would never miss.
It was an honor to be sitting at that table. All the other tables on the bride's side were extended family and one or two coworkers. The five of us, plus one of the bridesmaids, were the only friends that the bride invited. To add to that, we were the only Asians at wedding.
I've been friends with the bride for over ten years. She is one of the few people from way back then that I still keep in touch with, despite the fact that she's moved away. We really don't see each other or talk much, but somehow the friendship continues on. Perhaps, because we think alike in this respect. If you're true friends, it doesn't matter if you don't keep in touch continuously. Everything is still the same even after months without talking. It's all understood. It's all inside.
Of all the weddings I've been to this was, perhaps, the most enjoyable. First off, I was relatively comfortable in what I was wearing. (I knew this one was coming up and I had to go, so I was prepared a long time ago.) Second, I was not part of the bridal party so I was not super busy trying to make sure the wedding ran smoothly. Third, I was simply happy to see it all happen. The bride has been through so much in her life that I just really want to see her be happy.
It was hard to hold back tears when the bride made her speech, especially the part about one of the bridesmaids, one of our mutual friends. Perhaps it's because it means a lot to me to see her start a new life. Perhaps it's a function of me getting old. Perhaps it's me seeing my friends achieve things that seem to be out of my reach.
When the party started to die down, I decided it was time for me to make my drive home. Of course, before I could leave, I had to have a few words with the bride. What she said, I'll never forget. As always, we hugged before parting. A real hug; the way it's supposed to be. (It's been a while...such a foreign concept...)
The bride, knowing I had a bit of a drive home, told me to text her when I got home. To this, I had to laugh. Of all people, the bride is worrying about me getting home?!
But that's who she is. Perhaps this bride has never had it easy. But, regardless, she has never hesitated to give and care for those around her. And somehow, her simplicity and naiveness just always makes you smile.
Congratulations, my friend.
I've been friends with the bride for over ten years. She is one of the few people from way back then that I still keep in touch with, despite the fact that she's moved away. We really don't see each other or talk much, but somehow the friendship continues on. Perhaps, because we think alike in this respect. If you're true friends, it doesn't matter if you don't keep in touch continuously. Everything is still the same even after months without talking. It's all understood. It's all inside.
Of all the weddings I've been to this was, perhaps, the most enjoyable. First off, I was relatively comfortable in what I was wearing. (I knew this one was coming up and I had to go, so I was prepared a long time ago.) Second, I was not part of the bridal party so I was not super busy trying to make sure the wedding ran smoothly. Third, I was simply happy to see it all happen. The bride has been through so much in her life that I just really want to see her be happy.
It was hard to hold back tears when the bride made her speech, especially the part about one of the bridesmaids, one of our mutual friends. Perhaps it's because it means a lot to me to see her start a new life. Perhaps it's a function of me getting old. Perhaps it's me seeing my friends achieve things that seem to be out of my reach.
When the party started to die down, I decided it was time for me to make my drive home. Of course, before I could leave, I had to have a few words with the bride. What she said, I'll never forget. As always, we hugged before parting. A real hug; the way it's supposed to be. (It's been a while...such a foreign concept...)
The bride, knowing I had a bit of a drive home, told me to text her when I got home. To this, I had to laugh. Of all people, the bride is worrying about me getting home?!
But that's who she is. Perhaps this bride has never had it easy. But, regardless, she has never hesitated to give and care for those around her. And somehow, her simplicity and naiveness just always makes you smile.
Congratulations, my friend.
