Road Trip - Day 1 of 11

March 28th:

It is the day of the formal ceremony.  Batu dropped me off at the metro station at a little after 5:00am.  Chilly morning.  At the airport by about 6:30am.  A flight to Phoenix (PHX) and another to Palm Springs (PSP).  Rented a car - a Chevy Malibu with 4000+ miles.  Very quiet.  Nice.

Oh, it is so hot!!!  Going from the 30's and 40's, PSP's 80's feels unbearably hot.  My jacket has to come off.  Just a few miles and I am at their house.  What an exciting day - it is the day they formalize their marriage.

Oh, so hot!!!  Thermal undershirt and leggings - so appropriate in Oregon - all come off.  Just a dress now.  Bare feet on tile feels so very good.

Bryce, Ashton, Chase and Max are there - and now me.  The flowers are in place, the nuts and chocolates, the video recording, the music.  The grooms are dressed and ready.  Waiting for the minister, the handful of guests.  It is a very very small and intimate ceremony.  My job is to take pictures.

With Max

The minister comes, and Doug H and Woody; and Doug F and Carmine; Casey, JC and Shirley; Tio.

The minister said a few things, then Doug and Woody shared simple rules for a long and happy relationship (theirs is on year 53), then rings/vows.  Ashton surprised Bryce with a beautiful hand-crafted ring.

 



 

And then it was over - they were married.  Everyone cried a little.  It was so sweet.

 
Then, when everyone left, I went in to town with Chase to get some dinner for the 4 of us while the couple stayed behind.  Then David called - they were at the PSP Art Museum for the grand celebration - but where is everyone??!!?  They made a mistake and came a day early!  So, Chase and I got a lot more food and then we all shared a meal together at the house - their first meal together as husbands.

B being goofy  :)

 



Later, there was an open house for the people who were gathering in preparation for the big party the next day.  I picked up Don and Scott from the airport.  Finally, went to bed about 11:00 pm - that was about a 20 hour day for me.  A tiring day - but a really good day.