Warm Family Shares Love in Central Park

E+A thoughtfully shared their love story. I was therefore able to incorporate their reflections into the prelude to their marriage vows.

E and A, you were born in Baltimore (Maryland) and Santiago (Chile) respectively. In 2010 A moved to NYC to commence his studies within the economics’ doctoral program at Columbia. In 2011, E moved to NYC to work as a public defender in the Bronx Defenders. A few years later, you met on OKCupid. In fact, while you picked this date because it worked for both your families, you recently realized that A sent his first message to E exactly two years ago – April 29, 2015. On your first date, you drank wine, discussed politics, and shared a kiss by the edge of Morningside Park. Quickly you discovered how much you enjoyed experiencing life together. Running, cooking, and debating were sources of joy. Not all involved parties felt delights, though. E’s dog, Oscar, was wary. A little – crazy – Boston Terrier, Oscar was so protective of E that he acquired the role of guard dog whenever A entered his territory. Fortunately, Oscar grew to love and accept Aas part of his circle of loved ones.

E and A, when you began dating, each lived on an opposite side of a park. While crossing the natural oasis, you fell in love with each other. Crossing the park to reach one another’s apartment became an endearing routine. While your relationship is not always easy, both care. You care about each other’s well-being, happiness, and health. When encountering challenges, you support one another. Andres supports E as she fights for her immigrant clients who face deportation. And E supports A as he continues career to become an economist. In your own ways, both are sympathetic to the welfare of others. You grow together as individuals. This reveals each to be a thoughtful, compassionate, and passionate human being.

Indeed, E, A is grateful for all of you. He loves your green eyes, your veganism, your empathy, you drive to fight for other people’s rights and immigrants. He appreciates how much you supports him.

And, likewise, A, E is grateful for all of you. She loves how much you love and care for Oscar, your affectionate nature, your brilliance and modesty, and your salt and pepper hair.

You requested that I share a “blessing for a wedding” by Jane Hirshfield. This poem captures the gentle yet ardent sentiments of this day.

A Blessing for Wedding by Jane Hirshfield: Today when persimmons ripen. Today when fox-kits come out of their den into snow. Today when the spotted egg releases its wren song. Today when the maple sets down its red leaves. Today when windows keep their promise to open. Today when fire keeps its promise to warm. Today when someone you love has died or someone you never met has died. Today when someone you love has been born, or someone you will not meet has been born. Today when rain leaps to the waiting of roots in their dryness. Today when starlight bends to the roofs of the hungry and tired. Today when someone sits long inside his last sorrow. Today when someone steps into the heat of her first embrace. Today, let this light bless you….With these friends let it bless you…With snow-scent and lavender bless you. Let the vow of this day keep itself wildly and wholly…Spoken and silent, surprise you inside your ears…Sleeping and waking, unfold itself inside your eyes. Let its fierceness and tenderness hold you. Let its vastness be undisguised in all your days.