Lauren and Eric traveled to Zimbabwe together to teach English last year. They were engaged during our winter season and chose to celebrate their wedding in the fall at the North Cascades Basecamp and Lodge near Mazama. What a change from Africa. These two young people have enjoyed the mountains of the North Cascades and were eager to share this place with their friends and family. Many of Eric’s family traveled from the east coast to be with them.

The weather was perfect, even warm for September 24. The Basecamp was a welcoming place. The bride got ready in the big cabin while the groom entertained guests on the lawn and under the tent. Gradually, guests made their way on a trail through the forest to the wedding site down by the Methow River. The two grandma’s were driven to the site as it is a good walk on rough ground.

With the musician Terry Hunt in place, the wedding party gradually arrived, first the officiate, then the groom and his mother and groomsmen. Most of the bridal party walked down wearing flip flops and then slipped into their dress shoes for the processional. River rocks, flowers and cairns lined the way. When everyone else was in place, the bride and her father came down through the woods to make the scene complete.

It was a beautiful ceremony with the Goat Wall a favorite climbing spot, as the background. The bride and groom spoke to each other about their love; poems were read; music during the ceremony was provided by  Jake and Lydia. Laughter was shared as the bride struggled to get the ring onto the groom’s finger. After the Pronouncement and Introduction, the couple led everyone else to the river for pictures. It was a fun bunch of folks always ready to get carried away and not afraid to get their feet wet! Lots of fun and laughter and love! Ken and I were very happy to be part of the celebration!

Congratulations Eric and Lauren!

 

 

“Habitation”

By Margaret Atwood

Marriage is not

a house or even at
tent

it is before that,
and colder:

the edge of the
forest, the edge

of the desert

the unpainted stairs

at the back where
we squat

outside, eating
popcorn

the edge of the
receding glacier

where painfully
and with wonder

at having survived
even

this far

 

we are learning to
make fire