No, it's a Best Western Plus outside of Georgetown, Texas. Georgetown, word to the wise, is an Olde Worlde Texan town which lives cheek by jowl to Austin. Yes, the very same Austin that's twinned with San Francisco and the appalling SXSW music festival. Why, LSP, would you go to such a place, you ask with bated breath.
Because, dear friends, I had to celebrate a marriage there, in a little prairie gothic wooden chapel right off the town square. And you know what? It was perhaps the best wedding I've ever officiated at. Simple but dignified, totally not contrived, and a great company of people, young and old.
The bride was gorgeous and elegant, the groom and his men looked sharp and the whole thing was a joy to be at. Was it because almost every man there was former military, some having served with distinction? Quite possibly. Was it because nobody had any side or something to prove? Most definitely, what a down to earth group of people. Was it because the bride and groom are genuinely in love? Yes indeed, what a stand-up couple.
By way of a short homily, I counseled S&S to never, ever give up on one another, come hell or highwater and, when the going gets tough, persevere. At that point, which inevitably comes my friends, love becomes a sacrificial act of will, a conscious, deliberate, giving of oneself for the benefit and good of the beloved. With that in mind, never forget your vows. Viz:
I N. take thee N. to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.
Till death do us part. Serious business, and in performing it, be assured of God's abundant blessing. To that end, I was more than happy to pronounce the couple Man and Wife and, in conclusion, we all fell back to the City Post for a fun and delicious reception meal.
I tell you, I've not celebrated a better wedding in over 30 years. Just a lot of fun and, I think, uniquely American or Texan. Optimistic, patriotic, down to earth, humorous, experienced but not jaded, eyes-wide-open good people with none of that old world clever cynicism we loathe and despise. Ranchers, soldiers, cops, doctors, pilots, hunters, fishermen, professors, you name it, and not a rainbow lib in sight. Great result.
At the end of the day I retired to the jolly old Best Western Plus and parsed the world with the Father of the Groom, an outstanding man and friend. Was he armed? Of course, think waistband 1911 .45 and a little XD boot gun in the same caliber. You see, free men can defend themselves, slaves cannot.
Your Pal,
LSP
3 comments:
Stay free.
Always, CO.
Ah, simple religious vows. Me and my wife did traditional vows, too. Went the whole Catholic wedding thingy and because the wedding was in December, the church was already decorated.
Though, sadly, my future F-I-L didn't catch fire crossing the threshold of the church, the rat bastid.
Been to quite a few weddings, and the ones that are most impressive are the traditional ones, with traditional vows and traditional music and, well, traditional locations.
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