Love on a Mountain Top

On a glorious October day, Anne and Daniel were wed atop Black Mountain in Dummerston. Their parents and siblings witnessed their ceremony, full of tears and laughter.

Our party of eight hiked up together, with baskets of flowers and fruit. We found ourselves alone at the peak, with clear views of Mount Monadnock, close to the couple's home in Keene. An eagle soared above our intimate circle.

When I first met Anne and Daniel, I noticed their presence with each other. They listen and respond to each other carefully, with affection, and often with gentle humor. The heartfelt ceremony they created reflected their chemistry.

Daniel, Ich entscheide mich, an Deiner Seite zu sein und ich verspreche Dir, an deiner Seite zu bleiben. Ich werde immer die Schönheit unseres Zusammenseins lieben. Mein Leben ist reicher weil ich es mit Dir teile. Ich liebe Dich.

Anne, I choose to be by your side and promise to remain by your side. I will always love the beauty of our simply being together. My life is richer because I share it with you. I love you.

After the ceremony, Daniel and Anne surprised us with a picnic basket full of champagne and other goodies they had hiked up early that morning and hidden in the woods with a note: "Please do not take this, it's for our wedding." After I had two slices of Daniel's mom's divine cheesecake, I left the family sprawled in the sun on picnic blanket and headed down the mountain home to my own sweet family, feeling full of love and laughter.

On a perfect June day Rosanna and Anier were wed under a chuppa, sharing honey, cowrie shells, a coconut and declarations of love. All weddings are special. Rosanna is the daughter of a dear friend, so for me this one was extra-special.

It was a delight creating this ceremony with Rosanna and Anier. It was my my first bi-lingual wedding. Anier is Cuban. He said his vows and declared his love for Rosanna in Spanish, translated by the maid of honor. The ceremony included elements of the Santeria religion, which the couple practices, and Judaism in honor of Rosanna's mother, who had passed away six months before. The chuppah was built of birch by a family friend, a Yankee who had never seen one before. For centuries, Rosanna and Anier would have been forbidden to marry as a bi-racial couple. To close the ceremony they jumped the broom, an African American tradition.

The bride, groom, and 150 guests were completely present for every moment of the ceremony.  It was both formal and relaxed, intimate and inclusive, full of laughter and tears. It was an honor to be the celebrant.