We Got Hitched

So, Rand and I did it. We got hitched.

The humidity was through the roof, my hair wouldn’t curl, and I felt like a big white whale, the latter of which was probably thanks to a recent round of steroids I had to take for my shoulder. (Not even three days later and I don’t even look near as bloated… but I digress.)

Nevertheless, Rand looked handsome, reminding me of that smile of his that sucked me in at first glance. It was also wonderful having our children there along with his mother, Renée, our son-in-law, Matthew, and our daughters’ best friend, Emöke. We had the ceremony at Holliday Park down the street and returned home after the ceremony. Our officiant loved our script/vows and had a lot of fun reading them. Victoria did a great job.

Our reception was simple. We sat around and ate cake and ice cream and nibbled on snacks. We wanted to keep everything low-key and meaningful to us. At the end of the day, everything was perfect… even if I did swell up like a balloon and look like a big white whale. LOL

And since I’m self-conscious AF about posting a video of myself let alone pictures, below is the script we used for our wedding, which Rand and I both came up with and had captured on video. Yes, it is geeky as hell and wonderful:

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it forever. You don’t have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right?

But I will let you all in a little secret: we are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone, whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.

But what is love?

Love is the moment before you’re frozen in carbonite when the girl you’ve had your eye on finally admits what you always knew. Love is do, or do not, there is no try.

Love is not cupid’s arrow, but a green one. It happens in a flash and makes you feel like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s a shield, a smash, a hammer, and an iron suit. You should always be in love. Unless you can be Batman. Then you should be Batman.

Love does not manifest from foolish wand-waving or silly incantations. Nevertheless, it is magical and asks the question, “After all this time?” knowing that the answer will be, “Always,” and “Until the very end.”

But most importantly, love is the experience of writing your story. It’s not one moment — not even this moment. It’s every moment. Big ones like saying “I love you,” moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, having late-night conversations, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience… both weirdly wonderful and fulfilling.

And even if The Encyclopedia Galactica chapter on love states that it is far too complicated to define and to avoid it, if at all possible, I think we can say that Rand and Angela have done very well for themselves to embrace and define what love is for them.

The Vows

Now we will begin the vows.

Rand, from this day onward, do you choose Angela to be your wife, your best friend, and your only love? To live together, play together and laugh together; To work by her side and dream in her arms; To fill her heart and feed her soul; To always seek out the best in her; Always loving her with all your heart, until death do you part?

Groom: Yes/I do.

Angela, from this day onward, do you choose Rand to be your husband, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together and laugh together; To work by his side and dream in his arms; To fill his heart and feed his soul; To always seek out the best in him; Always loving him with all your heart, until death do you part?

Bride: Yes/I do.

The Rings

It is now time to exchange rings. Wedding rings are symbols of the journey taken together, a completion of one chapter and the start of another. Forged by the fires of compassion, compromise, and love, not to be easily destroyed.

Groom: [Rand will say his own words.]

Bride: [Angela will say he own words.]

The two of you have declared your love for each other and your intent to enter into marriage with the exchanging of vows and of rings. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Friends and family, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. & Mrs. Rand Walden.

And yes, Rand wore a kilt. 💜 As we are both descendants of the Royal House of Stewart, Rand decided to wear Stewart Hunting (Modern) for his tartan.