Treasures and Tears
One of the first questions that people ask when they see our pictures is "what is the medal that Ralph is wearing"?
Everything present at our wedding was there for a very carefully chosen reason. Ralph wore his mother's Good Conduct Medal that she received in the 1940s while serving in the Women's Army Air Corps. Ralph's mother and father met in the Air Force - Ralph was a dentist, and Carna was a hygienist. He wore their dogtags inside his shirt.
Several years ago Rob took care of his friend Tony following a surgery that became a long and complicated process. After he recovered, Tony gave Rob a "Golden Heart Award" to show his gratitude for the care he received. Rob wore the award during the wedding ceremony, and he wore Connie's dragonfly pin inside his lapel.
A few years before Rob met Ralph, he designed a calla lily image for a bolo tie. A very talented jeweler from Rowe Mesa, who ultimately made our first "partnership" rings, turned the sketch into a bolo by going to abandoned mines in Cerrillos New Mexico where the original Tiffany turquoise was mined long ago. It took 1000 pounds of tailings and ore to get enough color variance to make the finished product. Rob has worn this bolo at special occasions for the last dozen years. It was total coincidence that our rings came from Tiffany.
Several years ago Rob took care of his friend Tony following a surgery that became a long and complicated process. After he recovered, Tony gave Rob a "Golden Heart Award" to show his gratitude for the care he received. Rob wore the award during the wedding ceremony, and he wore Connie's dragonfly pin inside his lapel.
A few years before Rob met Ralph, he designed a calla lily image for a bolo tie. A very talented jeweler from Rowe Mesa, who ultimately made our first "partnership" rings, turned the sketch into a bolo by going to abandoned mines in Cerrillos New Mexico where the original Tiffany turquoise was mined long ago. It took 1000 pounds of tailings and ore to get enough color variance to make the finished product. Rob has worn this bolo at special occasions for the last dozen years. It was total coincidence that our rings came from Tiffany.
This picture shows the heirloom rings from Ralph's family, along with the new band that he now wears.
Going counter-clockwise from Ralph, Becky is wearing a sapphire and diamond ring that Ralph's dad gave to his mother Irma. In turn Irma gave the ring to Carna, and Carna gave it to Becky.
Becky also wears Carna's wedding band, and Mike asked for Julie to have Carna's engagement ring when they were married in 2011.
Another very special item that was present at our ceremony is a dime that dates to Ralph's grandmother in a sacred family tradition. When Carna Bishop and Ralph Stuart were married, Ralph's mother Irma gave Carna a dime that she had sewed into a tiny blue organza cover. Carna put that dime in the bottom of her shoe on her wedding day. Becky had it with her when she was married, and then it went to Julie when she married Mike. The night before our wedding, Julie brought the dime to Ralph so he could carry the tradition forward.
Going counter-clockwise from Ralph, Becky is wearing a sapphire and diamond ring that Ralph's dad gave to his mother Irma. In turn Irma gave the ring to Carna, and Carna gave it to Becky.
Becky also wears Carna's wedding band, and Mike asked for Julie to have Carna's engagement ring when they were married in 2011.
Another very special item that was present at our ceremony is a dime that dates to Ralph's grandmother in a sacred family tradition. When Carna Bishop and Ralph Stuart were married, Ralph's mother Irma gave Carna a dime that she had sewed into a tiny blue organza cover. Carna put that dime in the bottom of her shoe on her wedding day. Becky had it with her when she was married, and then it went to Julie when she married Mike. The night before our wedding, Julie brought the dime to Ralph so he could carry the tradition forward.
And then the tears . . .
In 2011, Rob became a minister so he could marry Mike and Julie. It was a very emotional experience, and we were all drenched with happy tears (and Rev Rob was drenched with sweat from the 95% humidity).
We decided to be married in Northampton because it is a charming destination, a welcoming community for marriage equality, and it is where Mike and Julie live. During the 6 weeks we had to plan the wedding, Mike completed requirements to become a minister registered with the State of Massachusetts and able to solemnize wedding vows. It is a very special bond to share in the family, for the uncle's and the nephew's weddings to be shared at such a deep level.
Mike was so touched during the ceremony that he cried as much as both of the grooms put together! If you look closely at any of the pictures of him officiating, he is alternately smiling from ear to ear, or with his heart so full of emotion that his face was wet with tears.
Kelli was the smart one when it came to planning for the emotion of the event. Our sisters sat on the front row, holding our rings and our vows, and they were the last to be seated. As Kelli passed down the aisle towards her seat, she smiled and handed each guest a travel pack of Puffs Plus tissues!
And Julie made sure that Rob and Ralph and Mike were prepared for the inevitable tears. Rob's "something borrowed" and "something blue" was a blue handkerchief that is an heirloom from her family. As you look at the pictures, Rob used it first, then he offered it to Mike, and finally Ralph needed it during his vows.
Kelli was the smart one when it came to planning for the emotion of the event. Our sisters sat on the front row, holding our rings and our vows, and they were the last to be seated. As Kelli passed down the aisle towards her seat, she smiled and handed each guest a travel pack of Puffs Plus tissues!
And Julie made sure that Rob and Ralph and Mike were prepared for the inevitable tears. Rob's "something borrowed" and "something blue" was a blue handkerchief that is an heirloom from her family. As you look at the pictures, Rob used it first, then he offered it to Mike, and finally Ralph needed it during his vows.