Meredith’s Musings: Love Bubble

article by Meredith McKinnie

I was 10 minutes in to my typical 30-minute soak in the tub, when the phone rang. It was my friend Josephine, and she had a question for me. “Will you marry us?” I was stunned. Marry them? I wasn’t qualified, nor a pastor. When she reassured me, they wanted a non-religious ceremony, I settled a bit. It took some pressure off. Perhaps it was because it was a year out from the event, perhaps because I was hormonal and pregnant and questioning my place in the world, but I agreed. I hit the end call button and sunk underneath the water, never questioning my choice.

I met with the couple at their new home, discussing their vision for the ceremony and what they expected from me. I was getting more excited about the prospect of being in charge, and even more honored they had chosen me. When I was taking notes, assembling a script, sweet Ugur, the groom, encouraged me to just be myself, that’s why they’d asked me. They’re a classy couple, with a unique story, his being raised across the world in Turkey and her right here in Winnsboro, Louisiana. They had overcome the odds of cultural differences to find a symbiosis that enriched the two as individuals. I was proud of them, proud to know them and encouraged by their love for each other.

April 28, 2018, was a beautiful sunny day. My stepdaughter, Husband and myself drove the hour to the site. Stepdaughter read through my script, practicing her reading and reinforcing my material. I liked hearing my love words on the tip of her tongue. It cemented their significance for me. When we arrived, we entered a fairy tale of overhanging trees, globe lights, sunshine streaming through branches and still water with a wooden bridge connecting the ceremony site to the reception. It was magical, much like the couple I was there to marry. Rose petal pink fabric draped the tables and the arch with bursts of roses, peonies and tulips.
I escorted the groom and his mother across the bridge, careful to walk a few steps ahead to give them moments together. She’d traveled across the globe; she deserved the time alone with her son. The ceremony was small and intimate; every person there was someone the couple loved dearly, no extra seat-fillers for effect. I took my place under the arch, and Ugur stood beside me. He kept taking deep breaths. He was nervous. This was his wedding day, and his beloved was about to make her appearance. They agreed he wouldn’t look until she came up the hill, as she had to travel the long bridge to get to the site. When she was halfway across, under the canopy of trees, a few rays of sunlight trickled through and danced on her shoulders. I couldn’t help myself; I gasped and said, “The sunlight is on her face.” Ugur whipped around, caught a glimpse of his beloved and was overcome with emotion. He started spouting in Turkish to his best man, and I felt the tears fill my eyes. I only cried once during the ceremony, and it was before my friend ever reached the arch.

I eased through the readings with the experience of a performer. I had done this before, only on a different stage, to a different crowd, in a different mood. I know when to inflect my voice for effect, pace words to emphasize certain sentiments. I watched the audience following my cues, though focused on the couple only inches away from me. I’ve been to weddings before, but never from that viewpoint. I saw the bride squeeze her groom’s hand during his handwritten vows, saw him stroke her palm as she promised to love him forever. I felt their commitment; their love was enveloped around them, and I was lucky enough to be in their love bubble. I watched Josephine’s dad tear up when she mentioned him during her vows, her mother’s cry/smile at the mention of her silliness. The bride mentioned loved ones individually and their qualities she promised to bring to the marriage. It was the most honest, touching tribute to both family and future family in one moment that I’d ever seen. I was lucky to be standing there, conducting this event and reveling in their adoration for one another.

I caught the love bug that day, relished in the couple’s little love bubble. I’ll remember it as long as live. Weddings will never be the same from a pew. I witnessed commitments made from the focal point, and I am forever grateful to have been so up close to love.