finally a Mrs.

I did it! We did it! Ron and I took the plunge a week ago Sunday and got married. It was a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day. The universe finagled perfect 70 degree weather in a week predominated by 90 degree weather. Some of the details were a little off the mark. The flowers weren't quite as I had envisioned or instructed the florists, the seating arrangement got mixed up, my train was put up during the ceremony and never put down again. Not sure if photography was optimized. And if not for Danielle, we would have forgotten the rings, wine, Kiddush cup, breaking glass and programs in the brides room. But the day was lovely, I liked my dress, felt comfortable with hair and make up and loved how skinny I looked. It was so so wonderful to celebrate with so many dear friends. It felt like I had entered the gates of heaven and reunited with a lifetime of friends and family.

I only cried when we lit the memorial candles and I was struck with sadness that my grandparents couldn't be with me that day. They would have been so proud and happy. My grandpa Hy would have been in his glory and I tried to imagine my grandparent's face to bring their presence in.

With all the preparations, I think I managed to create the perfect effect. Grand, but not pretentious. Casual, but elegant. And I feel well represented in the styling of everything. It was the perfect mix of my ecclectic tastes. We signed our Ketuba under a big tree with all our friends and family watching. It was the small eastern european village vibe that I was striving for. We were married under a Chuppah made of a dream quilt from Kazakhstan. The quilt was embellished by the Chinese symbol for double happiness and the words for pomagranite flower in Persian. I looked up during the ceremony and imagined the ladies in some distant village creating it. Our beautiful children walked down the aisle with us and I gave myself away and once again forgave my parents with a kiss and an I love you. We had a somewhat traditional Jewish ceremony injected with our personal sentiments. The ceremony was led by a Lesbian Rabbi. After the ceremony, our party moved to the patio for fine wine and artisan cheeses. Dinner was Persian inspired with Safron Yogurt Salmon, Sour Cherry Chicken and Jeweled rice. Our friend Carlos played romantic ballads on the guitar as we walked down the aisle and at the reception. And then as a cherry on top of the party, we had Tony Lindsey, former lead singer of Santana sing at the party.

My favorite part was the toasts: Ron spoke about wearing a heart monitor on our first date. I spoke. My father gave a funny eulogy of my life, Stephanie, cousin Jeffrey and Diane praised me and Ron. I had given a good deal of thought to what I wanted to say. It being the only time in my life when all my loved ones would congregate, I wanted to leave them with some of me and with a sense of how much this meant to me.

I spoke of the blessing of being married in middle age after having experienced many trials along the way. Of how, by this time in life, you have experienced many losses, challenges and saw so many friends face their days of loss and disappointment. With knowing loss, I could really appreciate the blessing of a really man and wonderful children and was so grateful to finally have everything that I had always wanted. I added by saying that one of my happiest days in memory was last mother's day when Danielle and Jiana brought me breakfast in bed (cooked by Ron) while Jonah slept. It was such a great joy and comfort to be surrounded by so much love and I was so happy to have what I had always wanted.

All through the pre-parties, wedding and post parties, I was so overwhelmed with happiness at having so many dear friends by my side. I smiled long and wide. I was finally surrounded by so much love and support and it was a testiment to these relationships that so many had traveled far to be with us. It was such a great time. I've never been happier and Diane commented in her speech that she had never seen me happier. I am so excited to begin my journey with Ron.

I so love him and feel so supported by our relationship. Now that I've indulged myself in the luxury of a few great days, I must get back to the task of motherhood, of being a good wife, a good daughter and a good friend.

I am so grateful for all who had allowed me to have my day. And that nothing took away from my unfettered happiness. All the sorrows of the past didn't exist and I was truly transformed into an upgraded reality.

I'll sign off for now as
Mrs. Genice