‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’ 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Being welcomed into a family home and treated like a guest, is one of those great feelings. I love when it is somewhere far from where you live, amongst enough friends that you don’t feel like a complete alien, but also enough people you don’t know, that meeting them is a totally new experience. It’s safe to say I’m now pretty peopled out and I think I am looking forward to roaming around on my own, but the last few days have been fab – the Americans don’t shy away from a good wedding.
After spending the first night in the brides house we moved to the house where most of the Groom’s family and friends would stay for the duration. This house had a pretty great view, sat on the bank of a lake (*pond in American), surrounded by trees. The weather has been pretty apalling but the cold, wetness of the last few days, once it sets in, is gentle, and actually quite comforting and anyway kind of lends itself to the slightly rustic scenery. You appreciate shelter and when it gets too warm you can step out into the refreshing breeze or light spattering rain. And this area is so green; like a lot of America, they have so many trees!
The first day after arriving we did some local history, walking amongst the graveyards of founding fathers, standing on a hill looking out over Plymouth, once the landing place of the intrepid travellers that made ‘this great nation’. The odd cynical jibe was shared amongst the English contingent of the wedding party, particularly as we looked upon a statue of a native american who had protected travellers from his own people, seemingly unbeknownst that the future might not be so kind. Another monument to the quasi-religious American virtues, was certainly impressive. My cynicism only goes so far however as you can’t help but admire the spectacle of America and how they have become in many respects the greatest country on the planet in all of 400 years.
The bride’s family are lovely and the next day we were busy setting up and rehearsing for the big day. Everyone mucking in to make it happen is I think all part of the fun and far better than a corporately organised wedding which is almost like a consumer product, wheeled out and put away again on the day. There was another gathering at the first house for dinner that evening and then the night-before was over.
The wedding was at two. We had as much of an English full english breakfast as you can have with Walmart streaky bacon and chipotle sausages, got dressed and had a groomsmen prayer huddle. Waiting in the wings of the First Baptist Church, a classic American white wood church, the nerves began to kick in. Jake spoke of the sick feeling in the stomach that comes before a race. A good race, a race in which the reward is plenty but a race which you have to run.
The service was lovely and a declaration of love not only for each other but also for God. The father’s glory was felt, particularly in some great songs, including How Deep The Father’s Love For Us and No Longer Slaves. It was over in a flash, before I knew it I was following the newly weds down the aisle with the maid of honour, careful not to trip over the flower girls and ring bearer, who slowly waddled along in front. It all went without a hitch although the camera we had setup for a livestream of the ceremony had slipped at one point meaning we were headless for most of the service. Sorry about that if you were watching, hopefully you got the jist.
My speech at the reception came last and people seemed to enjoy it. I alluded to the Hugh Grant impression at the beginning so they didnt have to. I won’t go into the contents of the speech but I’m sure some people will get their hands on the recording of it at some point. It was a pleasure and a privilege being Jake’s best man. Our goodbyes to the couple were brief and bittersweet as they hastily drove off once the party was over but that is often the way and who can blame them for wanting to get away. In the case of Christian weddings at least, there’s one more thing on the agenda that hasn’t yet been done…
Thanks to the incredible hospitality and warmth from Hannah’s family; the last few days have been delightful. I get the impression that Jake and Hannah enjoyed it too.
So the first wedding of the year (Dave Butler and Rob Jones, I’m looking at you) was over and I am pretty tired; bit of a rest before the week ahead needed.
Next time… A bit of Boston and the Big Apple.
Tim Goodfellow 