Susan and Bob Light Up The Rand-Bryan House

Last weekend seemed to be the most glorious weekend of the Spring. But beaming even brighter on Saturday, April 10th, were Susan and Bob. All the way down from Maryland for a wedding among close family and friends, they were radiant in their happiness. I could feel it all around them. Susan's Uncle Joe escorted her down the aisle as they were greeted by cousins, siblings, Bob's grown children and Susan's aunt. Bob's brother-in-law, David, was his Best Man and Susan's cousin Rachel, her Maid or Matron of Honor.


The Rand-Bryan house in Garner is a wonderful location with all it's springtime glory shining in the windows. For a group of thirty guests, there was plenty of room for a seated lunch and enough room to dance to a jazz quartet. All these beautiful pictures were taken by a friend of the family who's also a professional photographer: Gary D. Knight. You can reach him for his services at: 919-661-6566 or garydknight@earthlink.net. For all of us who want our pictures fast, he generously emailed me these photos the very evening of the wedding.

For the words of wisdom to be said upon their marriage, Bob and Susan chose the words from 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran that he wrote on marriage. They're so wonderful as is the whole book. I use Gibran's words on children for Baby Blessings and they're timeless, too.

Few know that Kahlil Gibran was Lebanese-American and Christian and lived in Boston and published his most famous book in 1923. He's considered the most widely read poet in history after Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu. If you don't now his words on marriage, Google them. They're lovely any time you read them. They never age. They certainly seemed to fit Susan and Bob who are wedding in mid-life filled with the grace and delight that love found anew brings out in us.

We did the Celtic Hand-fasting ceremony for their wedding, with a cord woven of three colors by Susan. They are blue, gold and white. It was lovely and just the right size. When you do the ceremony with the knots you must have enough cord. I like about 4 or 5 feet of cord so that I can tie the cord in the shape of infinity on your hands, then tie each knot easily.

These are powerful words of promise and binding, each said with consideration. I understand why this ancient ritual is still used. It holds power.

I got to say a beautiful blessing upon their marriage: "God, bless them with the inner gifts of trust, compassion, forgiveness, and truth that they may live and grow together in love and peace. Amen." It's an honor to even get to say these words.
After the ceremony there was time for pictures, followed by warm and funny toasts. (Who knows you better than your brother-in-law, lunch, and then the jazz combo and dancing.)

I wish I could have stayed to celebrate but a Saturday in April is a busy day for a minister who officiates weddings. So I could only wave good-bye as I dashed to the car to drive to Chapel Hill.

Bob and Susan are off to new adventures now. They promised each other their life together would never be boring. And I don't doubt that at all. I wish them lots of love and many blessings. As peers, we share an appreciation for each day that comes more easily with each passing year.

There's a sweetness to the realization that each moment is a joy to be savored with that special someone you love. I know they'll be doing just that.