At
our reception, we gave out little scrolls on yellowed, parchment paper. Each was tied with a black satin ribbon and
placed in front of the plates on the tables.
This was what they said:
Come, Traveler, and listen
whilst I relate to you a tale of forever love and the union of two hearts, of
nature and its beauty and the bonds of holy matrimony, of exotic people and far
away lands, and did I mention…marriage. ‘Tis
sure that you have ne’er heard a tale quite like this one.
Once upon a time there lived
two souls as different as the cultures that birthed them. The Lady A was a sweet child with a beaming
smile and rosy cheeks, always happy and brimming over with life. Master D on the other hand was dark and
mysterious, locking away secrets and emotions behind his dark façade. As fate would have it, they had resided in
the same village for on six months without e’er crossing paths. Then one bristling autumn day the Lady A met
a man while doing the washing, and destiny was set into motion. The man would soon become the unlikely messenger
that would bring these two hearts together.
You see the man was roommate to none other than Master D. But I tarry too long on this story, and anyway
you can probably imagine that love grew and progressed between A and D.
It would be a full two years
before destiny would be satisfied, though.
Our lovers traveled to a land northwest of San Antonio, in what is known
in present day as Lost Maples. It was
here among the changing trees, the glistening ponds, and the mighty mountains
that these two became one. So on an
autumn day much like the day they first met, Lady A and Master D were joined in
the eyes of God.
Now you might think that this
is where the tale ends, but actually this is just the beginning. You see this was only the first of three
weddings that would join these same two hearts.
Due to the remoteness of this first spot, not all of the family was able
to attend. So, on the following day a
second wedding took place upon the vast green lawns that surrounded the home of
a wealthy man named Meyer. Now Meyer was
known for his hospitality and would often rent out his spare rooms to wayfaring
travelers…it was even rumored that he provided his guests with breakfast every
morning before they set off. So, on his
lawns overlooking the creek and surrounded by ancient cypress trees, A and D
took their vows for a second time.
Now if you were paying
attention you remember me saying that there were three weddings. And three weddings there were. We move our tale to a land where titans roam
the earth and crumbling ruins can be found on every corner. It was here in the exotic land of Greece that
the most traditional of the three weddings took place. In a small church overflowing with people, an
ancient tongue could be heard resonating from beneath the shadows of the
cross. And this ceremony would unite our
young lovers for the third and final time in what could only be called a very
crazy month.
And now here you are to join
in their celebration. For you yourself
have now become a part of their amazing tale.
May your life be filled with as much happiness and good fortune as you
will find here among these happy hearts.
