Blah, Blah, Blah

A beautiful thing: Kim and Henry tie the knot.

Great things can happen to regular people. Some might pick the winning numbers of the lottery. Another may have a long-forgotten Michelangelo painting hidden behind the couch. Most of us, while we do need money, and who doesn’t, would really just settle for a smidge of happiness.

The greatest path to such happiness is sometimes fairly simple. Often it’s as elementary as finding the perfect ‘Someone’ to enrich their life. The concept of finding Mr. or Ms. Right, of course, is elegantly simple. It’s execution can be somewhat more, shall we say, complicated.

Let’s face it. I’m a sucker for weddings. It’s always fun to see someone else take the plunge, painfully unaware that instead of an Olympic-sized pool waiting below, it’s more like a child’s sand bucket. Minus the water, of course. But plenty of sand.

It’s not that I abhor marriage. Or being married, for that matter. I’m a big fan. Marriage is not for the faint of heart. There is a such a big disconnect between the extolled vision of a future happiness, versus the sometime’s harsh reality of daily togetherness.  

What the hell. They can figure it out for themselves. We did.

Complicated for some, not all
That wasn’t the case a couple of weeks ago when Katy’s niece Kim and her “Mr. Someone” were caught exchanging vows in a beautiful wedding ceremony in Marquette. The bride was beautiful and blushing, the groom exuded pride and faithfulness. All very important qualities when searching for the perfect mate.

Kim found her Mr. Right. Quite honestly, I’m not sure Henry even had a chance. Henry, on the other hand, has in his new bride a wondrous quality. Faith. Faith in God. Faith in the sacrament of marriage and most importantly, faith in her chosen partner. I expect Henry will not disappoint. Right Henry?

Both sides of the aisle celebrated with the bride and groom after a beautiful, sometimes humorous, ceremony before God, their families and friends. The bride was gorgeous, no, stunning in her bridal gown.

He’s a fashion trailblazer!
Sources close to the family tell the story that Henry, given the opportunity to participate fully in the overall planning of the nuptials had but one request. Can you say ‘camo’?

That’s right, we’re talking the cutting edge of Yooper fashion here. Camouflage vests for himself and the groomsmen. Not something you’re likely gonna see on WE tv’s ‘My Fair Wedding’. I expect the look will be all the rage at shotgun weddings everywhere!

After the service, everyone broke away for either pictures, catching up with family or a quick run back into town for some quick shopping before upcoming cocktails, dinner and dancing at Marquette Mountain. (Last time I attended an event there it involved downhill racing, operating a cafeteria tray without a license, and the unfortunate death of tens-of-thousands of innocent brain cells. Not pretty.)

The dinner served was, as some people say, awesome. The spread was premier Yooper wedding fare: cheese and crackers, salad, meatballs, baked beans, ham, rolls, lasagna and some things I’ve probably forgotten. The open bar pulled two kinds of beer–heavy and lite. Who could ask for more? I did. Twice.

The bottom line
I expect this new partnership will fare better than some. Perhaps better than most. Why? This is a marriage, not of convenience or necessity, but of trust and fellowship. Of love. The real deal. It will never diminish. It can only grow.

To Kim and Henry Schwanke: Live long. Love longer. Don’t look back. Look forward, together. ’Nuf said.