It was a rainy day. There was nothing we could do about it. We went from Plan A, where the wedding would be held at the bottom of the meadow in front of a wonderful trellis that Nick that built. To Plan B, where so many wonderful friends and guests moved all the chairs and the trellis to the top of the meadow, to Plan C where we held the wedding upon the covered deck of the building and we could see the trellis in the distance. This June was an especially blustery one!And it was still a beautiful wedding!That's because Adrienne and Nick are such loving open hearted people that nothing really could rain on their day.They've been together 7 years of which 4 were spent long distance. They met at NC state their freshman year. They were surrounded my so many family and friends who are so devoted to them that most didn't even hesitate to brave the heavy mist to move the ceremony site from that for Plan A to Plan B to Plan C. I trust that the dancing went well into the night to the music of the Possum Jenkins Band. Thank you too to Lacey Gadwill, the photographer for the wedding who managed to get fabulous pictures despite all our difficulties.I have to laud Julie and her staff at The Aqueduct Center. They were troopers and did everything with good grace and a smile.They wanted to personalize their vows to address all they'd been through - long distance times, house remodeling and foot surgery. They told me that they'd broken up 4 years ago and then made a conscious decision to commit and they had lived up to it realizing that they are better with each other than they are without each other, and that they are willing to make the sacrifices that are needed for two very different people to both have rich, full and loving lives.They are a couple who is grounded and sure in their love. In their vows to each other they had the sentence, 'I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward, for as long as we both shall live.' And I don't doubt it a minute. There's an old adage that says that a wet knot is harder to untie. It was fun to remember it on that day.When they got back from their honeymoon I got this message from them:'We really appreciated everything you did for us that weekend. You were so flexible and really helped bring peace and calm to a slightly hectic situation. And we had a blast! We will definitely send pictures when we get them from Lacey. Thanks again for everything!"And I thank them. They were a treat to get to know! This is why I love my work.
On August 15th, Michael and Libby were married in the little town of Merry Oaks, NC.
Merry Oaks seems like just a sweet name of a highway sign to passers-by. But just off the freeway, tucked around a corner is a wonderful funky old bed and breakfast that called to Libby and Michael for their wedding. I couldn't even find its contact information on Google, so if you want to know how to reach it, contact me and I'll ask Michael and Libby.
It used to be a farm house with an old post office and train station. The artist Ann Hill used to live there. It's decorated with old hub caps, and today its history continues to grow, rich with laughter and life.
In 
renting the whole place Libby and Michael had a casual country place with a lawn and garden that was perfect for their gathering of about fifty close friends and family. They wanted someplace casual and enjoyable. And they wanted their wedding to be that way, too.
Friends provided the cupcakes and the wonderful jazz music, QShack completed the food offerings with delicious bar-be-cue (which you don't see because I needed to leave before that time to travel to Carrboro for another ceremony), and .........
Libby's sister was her Matron of Honor and Michael's brother was his Best Man.
And there would be room for their dachsund, Lulu to be a part of the festivities.
They have one of those amazing stories that speak of fate lending a hand. They had met briefly long ago but had moved to different cities. Then later in Detroit, they lived in the same apartment building, but Michael moved in just as Libby was moving out. Then Michael started getting Libby's mail and they ran into each other at a drug store when both of them were dating other people.
Finally getting the message the universe seemed to be telling them, they began seeing each other, which led, after three years to their wedding day, August 15th.
All the photos you'll see in this blog entry were provided by Lacey Gadwill who has a wonderful casual touch.
Michael and Libby had moved down from Detroit not too long ago and have a close set of friends and family.
They had a special part in their ceremony which spoke to this closeness.
"Dear Friends and Family, Without you, we aren't possible. You raised us, befriended us, brought us together physically, mentally, and spiritually, fought with us for freedom and justice in a world often lacking both. And today you have given us the great gift of being present at our marriage. In all this, all of you prepared us for this day, with unity with each other today, before you, before each other, before God and before creation. Thank you!
Our sons and daughters grow older, become independent, fall in love and marry. But marriage is not the end of their previous relationships to family and friends. Rather it's a process which requires constant care and attention. In this process Michael and Libby will need the help, support, love, and care of all of you who have been so important in their relationship so far.
Do all of you gathered here today, who have nurtured Michael and Libby so long, bestow your blessings on their union? If so, answer, 'We do!'"
This is a group shot of everyone who said, 'We do!' There were no dissenters.
Friends came from Seattle, New York, New Orleans, and Detroit to be with them.
Michael and Libby found a moment to share a cupcake during the reception.
I hope all their life will be sweet with these memories of their wedding day.
