The day we signed the certificates

“At the end of a week of studying each other, [the] preacher got out his Bible, placed the woman’s hand on top of it, and laid his own on top of hers. Then they bowed their heads in silent prayer, and when they raised them, they were man and wife.” — Dorothy West

It was in this light with which we wished to wed. No Bible was present, but just as the Bible facilitated their union, books have always helped me figure out how I want to live my life, including how I get married. As a bride, one is given the message that the measure of your family and husband’s love is in the price of a ring or the cost of a wedding. This line gave me permission to create a bridal experience that resonates with who Conner and I are as a couple. On the day we signed the certificates, we went to Conner’s long-time friend who is a skater, a teacher, and a minister.

I’ve always thought how a person decorates their home is some kind of extension of who they are: his home was a vibrant shade of lime green with skateboards all over the walls. He had a guitar case–turned bookshelf where he had two copies of 1947’s Nobel Prize–winning author Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha. I have yet to read this book, but its presence in Tim’s house automatically won me at an intellectual level.

We proceeded to sign everything, and with these words, two became one: “YEAH!”

We then needed two witnesses. We wanted to keep the signing of the certificates as small and as ordinary as possible. Not because it is unimportant, but some things are too important. Just as one enters a chapel with covered shoulders and hushed voices so as to respect the awe-inspiring work that average people have put into creating a building in the honor of their God, Conner and I want to respect the seriousness of our marriage by entering with quiet humility.

Our witnesses matched exactly what we wanted: Sonny, Zack, and their sweet daughter, Alice. Their home was so colorful: I literally didn’t know that one person’s hands could create a home with such love and care. The kitchen walls were a deep cerulean blue with hand-painted cupboards and ceramic handles. The floors were a vibrant green. Forgive me, reader, for I cannot quite place what kind of green it was. All I knew is that it literally was a wonderland of color and art. They were our witnesses, and Zack gave Conner a toy gun so that he could “protect his family.” Conner shot a BB bullet into the air in celebration of our union.

We are not done celebrating: At the time of writing this, I am planning our trip to Scotland, and thereafter a trip to Vegas will follow. We still hope to have a wedding.