About an hour’s drive north of Seattle, there is a small farm
growing hay and working a few cattle in bucolic pastures on either side of the
Snohomish River. The river flows sleepily here, not many miles from where it
empties into Puget Sound. Pebble beaches and cottonwood trees line its winding
banks. And on a bend in the river next to such a beach, the family maintains
their private campground, shaded by cedars, pines, and those enormous
cottonwoods.
They gather here every summer for a reunion, lining up their
RVs and tents around an open air dance hall, made from the timbers of the old
dairy silo. A carefully stoked bonfire burns in a steel half-ton mortar from a
nearby rock quarry, once used to crush local stone. The kids twirl sparklers at
the river’s edge, guided by tiki torches from camp to beach and back. Sloppy Joes and s’mores are the
traditional cuisine.
This year, one tent was decorated differently: the words “Just
Married” were spelled out on a hand made sign.
The farm is connected to the bride’s family. I am connected to
the groom by way of having painted his brother’s wedding in 2006. None of us
can remember how the first couple found out about my services.
I have been to some very elaborate weddings. I’ve been to weddings
where a lot of money and effort is spent on creating an appearance of simplicity.
But I’ve never painted at such a straight-forward, come-as-you-are, downright
joyous celebration. The groom’s mother made an arbor of curly maple and flowers
from Michael’s. The bride’s brother went out and got a license so he could
marry them. They said the plans grew from there; four groomsmen wore sand
colored suits with coral ties and boutonnieres, four bride’s maids wore coral
dresses and teal necklaces. The groom’s ten year old son wore a teal bow tie
and suspenders with a white shirt and shorts that matched the men’s suits.
As many couples do, they wrote their own vows. The groom’s
were so earnest and thoughtful as to inspire me to strive to be a better husband. One line of advice from the
officiator will always stay with me. He urged them to support one another’s
dreams, “and if those dreams don’t come true, keep supporting until another one
comes along.”
And when they kissed, the party began. The dancing went well
into the long, warm, starlit night. But by the time of this writing, the couple
will have decamped for their honeymoon in Maui.
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