It was a very small civil ceremony, with my best friend (who introduced us & therefore is the reason we have the Squab & Chicken), her husband & one other friend. Because of circumstances, no one from either of our biological families could attend, which was completely our fault & the only wedding regret I have.
The justice of the peace's office was on the ground floor of a harbor front building, so for the ceremony we walked across the street to the small park near the dock. We decided to stand near the dock in front of the Mini Harbor sign, so that we would remember the spot. (Sadly, when we went back in 2012 the park area was still there, but the dock was gone along with most of the water in the harbor.)
We really didn't plan anything. Heck, if the Stork hadn't ordered the bouquet, I wouldn't have had flowers; I really had no clue. We didn't want a large production & had hardly any money to pay for much more than what we had.
Fast forward twenty years & two incredible children later. We're still married, despite only having known each other for a total of eight weeks when we married. We've survived fire, illnesses, the deaths of friends & loved ones. We're still married. Fully, proudly proving so many people's predictions & expectations wrong.
The road has not been smooth. Ups, downs, twists, turns, dark tunnels & bright open lanes, we've seen a lot & no, it is not a perfect marriage. There is no such thing. But it is still a marriage. We are still working on it.
So if you would, please join me in wishing the Stork a very happy twentieth anniversary. He deserves, at the very least, a beer for having put up with all the random that is me.
Aloha hugs,
-Clare