My family and I traveled to New York for a special occasion this past weekend.

We attended the marriage celebration of my elder daughter, Jeanne, and her partner, Judy.  (Now often described by their joint nickname, JeJu.)

It was a lovely weekend — perfect weather, a meaningful ceremony, indescribably awesome food mostly prepared by JeJu, many heartfelt and touching toasts,  a colorful and so-very-much JeJu-setting for the ceremony and dinner.

It was about as perfect as anyone could hope for.

As mother of the bride, I was in charge of the collaborative poem read during the ceremony.

A quick explanation — I asked everyone who was at the pre-ceremony wine tasting event to fill out an index card on which I had written a few prompting words. These words became the bulk of the celebration poem.

The prompts included:

• a word or a phrase to describe the ocean or something you might find on a beach (It was a Long Island wedding and we were very close to the ocean and many beaches.)
•  a word or phrase to describe Jeanne
•  a word or phrase to describe Judy
• a word or phrase that describes a healthy, happy relationship

Everyone was really great and filled out the index cards. Then I spent 30 minutes compiling everyone’s words – plus a few of my own – into a wedding poem.

(The words printed in color are words taken directly, or slightly paraphrased, from the cards.)

A COLLABORATIVE POEM OF CELEBRATION

We gather together.

Nearby, the ocean roars,
tides send waves crashing against the breakwaters,
scratched sea glass sparkles on the beach
illuminated with memories of the summer sun.

Moonlight scatters light across the ripples of water.

The beaches expand, recede,
Inhale. Exhale,
rhythmic breathing, the sea on the earth.

We gather to celebrate the marriage of two women,
as they promise to respect each other,
to love each other,
to be there for each other.

We see one woman —
lover of nature and all things natural,
handy with crafts and tools,
baker of scrumptious cakes and pies,
tax guru – extraordinaire.

And another woman —
artistic genius
filled with positive energy,
natural nurturer,
holder of wisdom of the ages,
healer.

We offer to these women gifts to strengthen their lasting relationship –
respect, courage,
trust, a sense of humor,
comradeship, growth,
and the willingness to work together.

Today, we witness Jeanne and Judy
as they express their love for each other –
with elation, happiness, exuberance, joy.

We sense their anticipation to walk together on their life journey
encouraging and assisting each other.

We all congratulate you,  JeJu.

p.s. The water is cold.
p.p.s. The water isn’t that cold.

———————–

Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She just took a few days off to celebrate her daughter’s wedding. Bo left her camera in the camera bag for most of the wedding festivities, as mothers of the bride do not make good wedding photographers. She did, however, manage to keep her creative muse happy by writing a collaborative wedding poem!