New Beginnings and Love that Endures

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Rick and Alison looking relaxed and happy following the ceremony.

Back a few months ago, I wrote a post about one of the highlights of my summer: getting to attend my girlfriend, Alison’s, wedding, and how I found my dress through Chico’s. Alison and Rick wanted to share the news of their wedding with their friends in their own unique way, in their own unique timing. So, I had to sit on my hands for a bit, before sharing the rest of my pictures.

Alison, her sister and maid of honor Melissa, and Alison and Rick’s grandkids, high-stepping it on their way down the LONG aisle: from the bus, to the fountain.

They finally told their friends, about a month ago, and so I’ve been given the green light to share a few more pictures, and, in the words of Paul Harvey, share the rest of the story, with you.

At the fountain, at Point State Park in Pittsburgh, Alison and Rick said their vows.

Alison and Rick chose July 1st for their wedding date. It was the 21st anniversary of their very first date. Some people don’t like to rush things. 

Hey, I’m just lucky they’re letting me talk about it this soon! It could have been another 21 years before they ‘fessed up.

It. Is. Done.
Also known as, “We’ve Only Just Begun”.

On a Friday afternoon, in downtown Pittsburgh, at the Fountain at Point State Park, the place where the Monongahela and the Allegheny Rivers join to form the Ohio River – (the two become one: get the metaphor???) , Alison and Rick also became legally one, before a very small group of family and friends. I was privileged to be sweating among them. Sweating from the heat, that is. It was a lovely ceremony! 

Alison and Melissa allowed me to be a part of their sister act that day. I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to have shared this special, special day in their lives. I know their mom and dad were BEAMING from on high!

Alison told me that if they hadn’t found a pastor to marry them, that she was thinking about asking ME to marry them. And you know what? For her, I totally would have done it! For a dear, dear friend, who knows me inside out, and who loves me, anyway, why the heck not? It would have been an honor, and an adventure! One of those things I never thought I’d do.

Just two old married couples, atop Mount Washington. You can see the rain moving in, here.

After the ceremony, we took pictures at the overlook, atop Mt. Washington. When the rain started, we climbed back on the bus to enjoy a sumptuous feast at LeMont restaurant, which also overlooks the city. Melissa, Alison’s sister, and maid of honor, is a professional baker, and had made Alison and Rick’s gorgeous wedding cake. What a sweet, wonderful evening we enjoyed there. And just to make it a little bit more spectacular (and probably to show us that Alison’s parents were smiling down on us) look what God blessed us with:

A rainbow, while we were at the reception at LeMont, overlooking Pittsburgh. In my opinion, this was a divine blessing on their union.

I love it that I witnessed their beautiful ceremony: their new beginnings. I love them, and wish them every bit of health and happiness their lives can hold. Most of all, I love my beautiful friend, and our love that has endured.  Our friendship has lasted 36 years. Here’s to another 36 years! 

Sooze, Alison & Pittsburgh.