25

The Wedding

Finally it was the day. Sarah and Simon’s wedding was scheduled for 11 a.m., November 24, 2012, at a simple meeting house on a deep bend in the Charles River, a beautiful setting sculpted by wild and potent wind. The home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was across the street, so a few guests parked and strolled in the famous gardens of the serene yellow Georgian mansion before coming into the chapel. Others went quickly inside the meetinghouse to escape the bitter north wind blowing down over the icy cold Charles River.

Simon stood by the front door waiting for his family. The bitter wind ruffled his thick black hair, brought tears to his eyes, shrank his skin, and bit his cheeks. He was ecstatic. He was glad to see David and Rose approach as his father always had a calming effect on him.

“I’m so proud of you, Simon,” David said gripping his son’s shoulders and staring into his eyes. This is right.

His mother gazed at her son in his classic black tuxedo and said, “I shouldn’t ask, but I will. Have you seen her dress?”

“No, that’s bad luck for the Irish,” Simon replied. “I won’t see it until her father brings her to the altar. Let’s go inside so we can sit quietly for a while.” They entered through the west door. High multipaned windows on the north and south sides brought in the light. Late November sun sparkled through the wavy, distorted glass, casting watery and crystalline shapes on the soft pine floors. People chatted in hushed voices as the ushers led people to their seats. The room was full of magnetic energy. It was as if angels were flying under the high ceiling.

“This is a lovely meetinghouse,” Rose whispered. “It is absolutely original, so pristine, a good choice.”

Simon sat quietly with his parents and used yogic breathing to stay calm and in his body. He was suspended on the edge of an unknown world, feeling like his head was going to spin off his neck.

David sensed his anxiety and put his hand over Simon’s hand, thinking, He’s still four years old and discovering magic.

Simon snapped back to what was going on around him when his old friend Marc Sinclair walked into the altar space wearing a navy blue suit. He smiled at Simon, who got up and walked into the altar space to face Marc. Simon turned to gaze at the smiling people while David and Rose came to stand by his side. An audible rush of whispers suddenly swept the room. Simon’s knees wobbled, and his eyes flooded with salty tears. I’m afraid I won’t be able to even see her!

A whoosh of powerful wind from the Charles swept in when the inner doors opened for William and Sarah. Wavy-glassed windows undulated as the guests turned to face the middle aisle to view the bride. She came slowly forward, an angelic vision in ivory silk, lace, and pearls. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, barely obscured by an ivory lace Portuguese mantilla that fell down over her arms. Her hands were covered by white lace gloves embroidered with pearls. She wore a low-necked empire waist bodice that glowed with countless iridescent pearls gleaming against ivory silk. Flushed with anticipation, she was from another century.

Proudly she approached Simon and Marc with her arm in her father’s. She held a simple bouquet of yellow jonquils with dark green leaves, the yellow vibrant against the ivory, pearls, and Sarah’s luminescent face. William guided her by her elbow as they approached the altar.

Simon stood patiently, beholding his bride. I’m afraid I’m going to levitate! I was not prepared for this heavenly sight. He felt small in the face of her beauty. No matter what everybody tries to think these days, this is her ultimate moment, and I am humbled. He smiled shyly, realizing he’d never seen her before as his moist eyes showered her with love.

Sarah’s heart pounded in her chest. She gave her bouquet to Susan, and then her father placed her hand in Simon’s. William stood by her side as Mary came to stand by Susan. The altar space was not elevated, so the guests stood on their toes. Simon was grateful they were all on the same level as a great force from deep in the Earth rushed into his body through his legs.

When the bride and groom and attendants had all assumed their places, Marc spoke extemporaneously. “I am here today to guide the union of Sarah and Simon, and spirit moves me. I have known Simon for many years, and I testify that his heart is as true as the pristine light in this sacred space. He has found a home for his heart in his bride, Sarah.” He turned to search deeply into Simon’s dark eyes looking for the realization of the import of this union; Simon’s body jerked involuntarily in response.

Marc turned to Sarah and said, “I’ve only shared time with you a few times while we prepared for this moment. You are the mother of Simon’s soul, the one he began seeking when he was born. He tells me he knew this when he first saw you. Therefore, Sarah, know him in all ways as only a woman can know a man. Take his heart and hold it in yours!” Looking benevolently into her green eyes, he touched her lightly on her left shoulder, and her spine buzzed and vibrated in long waves. She was afraid she’d faint.

“Now,” Marc said in a louder voice for the gathered people. “Soon it will be time for you to speak because you are here today to support Simon and Sarah. In our sacred space, we do not ask if there is anyone who objects to this marriage. Instead, we ask you to express your thoughts about these two people choosing to be one. We will observe ten to fifteen minutes of deep silence, going into our hearts to seek the essence of what Simon and Sarah desire. Then, those who wish to speak to them before they marry, speak. If you wish it, Simon and Sarah, you may hold hands during the silence.”

Sarah relaxed when she felt Simon’s hand firmly grasp hers. Strong earth energy was making her dizzy. I had no idea it would be like this. Everything feels unreal to me as if I am reliving an old time. I know the truth to my visions, I have stood with him before. The silence felt like seconds while she gripped his hand.

When he took her laced hand his strength returned, a new balance. She is mine, really mine! As they stood silently connected by delicate touch while people in the old pine pews meditated, the cold north wind crackled tree branches, falling leaves scraped against the glass. The sun flashing in and out of clouds transformed the meeting house into a kaleidoscope of rainbows. The silence deepened when slapping waves on the Charles brought the water element into the room. Then a tiny bell was rung; it was time to speak. Mary said in a low but clearly enunciated whisper, “Come, Patrick, come into this room. Be with us now!” The old pain stabbing William’s heart melted in quietude.

One by one, the people uttered a word at a time: “Joy.” “Peace.” “Happiness.” “Home.” “Children.” “Good food.” “Gardening.” “Plants.” “Lace.” “Coziness.” “Dogs.” “Beauty.” Marc waited a few minutes for their voices to subside; it was now time for the marriage.

Sarah and Simon faced each other, holding hands. He released a hand and brushed aside the veil; she looked frail and flushed. While Marc led them through their vows, Simon’s voice kept cracking while hers was strong and clear. After exchanging their vows and the rings, she looked expectantly into his eyes. Marc asked them to go down and face each other on their knees. They looked at each other, wondering what was going on, since this had not been part of the rehearsal. Marc placed his large hands firmly on the top of their heads, took a deep and audible breath, and said loudly, “Spirit, now come into them and bless them!”

A force came through his hands that made him rigid; Simon and Sarah were electrified. The people could see a vibrating rush of blue light flow into the couple like a strike of cosmic energy in a painting by William Blake. The rush was greater than the fierce wind outside that exploded when Marc humbly blessed them; the great blast moved the old wooden structure. William felt a shock, and David steeled his body in proportion to the force. Mary and Rose were filled with joy, their hearts completely open with their son and daughter. Marc grinned ecstatically and pronounced in a joyful and triumphant voice, “Now you may kiss the bride.” Simon pierced the great force by pulling Sarah to his body and planting a lusty kiss on her lips. She’d lost the sense of where she was, but his kiss brought her back. She was laughing when he released her, and they turned to face the people together. Everyone who was there on that windy November day knew something very special had happened. They would always remember the wedding of Simon and Sarah Appel.

The reception was wonderful and joyous, and after the long day was concluded, Simon and Sarah were finally alone in a bridal suite at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Common. Tired and drained, they were grateful for this gift from David, especially since they had to get right back to Rome. The little parlor burst with fresh white and yellow roses from Mary and William. Little sandwiches and a plate of cut vegetables were set out for them.

“This is so perfect, Simon. Just what we need. I’m wiped; this day was wonderful, but exhausting.” They sank down into comfortable armchairs around a low coffee table where a bottle of wedding champagne was chilling in a sweating silver bucket. “This is so thoughtful of our parents, like a mini-honeymoon.”

“Yeah, my parents really know how to do things right. You’ll find they are very frugal, but they always celebrate lavishly at the right time. My father completely shocked my mother by whisking her off to Paris on a first-class flight right after their wedding reception! He even packed everything she needed. This hotel feels like heaven right now. I love Mary’s flowers.” He reached for a chicken salad sandwich. “What happened today? What was that at the end of the ceremony? Did you feel that huge force going through us like a lightning bolt? How’d Marc do that?”

“I felt like I was completely out of it until you kissed me. I don’t know what happened.”

“That’s funny. In my case I was hyper-conscious, hyper-aware as if I could see the essence of everything, jazzed with energy. Where do you think you went?”

Instinctually she moved her fingertips over the ruby crystal to go back to what she had felt when Marc put his hand on her head. “I felt like I went to another planet, someplace that rules marriage. Until today, I had no idea that marriage could create high energy. I’ve always felt that becoming part of a new family was the point, not that there was something more. I never witnessed anything like this in the Church. The nuptial Mass is the central focus when supposedly you are married in heaven.” She paused. “I’m having trouble expressing this. I had the feeling there is a place somewhere in the universe that’s in charge of marriage. Isn’t that weird?”

Simon reached for another sandwich. “Yes, it is weird, yet something happened today. I felt a force greater than anything I’ve experienced before. I wonder if everybody who gets married feels this, or did we feel it because we are sensitive to this kind of energy? Marc never mentioned doing it, so I have to assume that he wasn’t going to do it unless he detected something special between you and me. Quakers always wait until they are moved by spirit. I suppose I’ll always wonder about it. Maybe Marc will tell us. Meanwhile, what matters to me is what we felt. We’re really married now, which is a mystery in itself. Everything will be different from now on. It’s time for champagne!”