OCEANS AWAY

My youngest cousin got hitched

Filed under Out & About

I went to my first (German) wedding yesterday. I’d been to one in Kentucky which I don’t remember much of, except that I accidentally left the tags on my fancy, bought-for-the-occasion top and that my friend did my make-up and I ended up looking like an uncomfortable, creepy clown. I made a complete fool of myself, is what I’m saying.

This time, hopefully, I did not. My youngest cousin got hitched to her boyfriend of six years and while much of the wedding wasn’t done in my taste, she seemed genuinely happy and content with everything which is of course all that matters. They had done their vows at the registry the day before, and exchanged rings in the church on Saturday. As you know, I’m not religious whatsoever and so much of what happens in churches eludes me – but it was a beautiful country church with a pretty little yard out front. And the weather was glorious! It has been grey and rainy since early July and the past days were no different but yesterday was all blue skies and sunshine and the perfect temperatures. I say we take that as a good omen for their marriage, yes?

My cousin is only 21 and weddings at that young an age aren’t very common in Germany (as far as I know) and at times it felt like watching two kids act out much older roles in a strange play. At other times, it felt completely right. I guess that’s normal. — She looked absolutely gorgeous and after a Coke + whiskey or two, I joined her on the dance floor at the reception afterwards and it was great fun. Even though it can be awkward and exhausting, seeing the extended family all together was nice and exchanging Life Updates with my other two cousins (small family!) is always great.

There were some bittersweet moments where I think everyone teared up a little – because my cousin’s wonderful, beloved mom died of cancer when my cousin was younger and there were many reminders that someone hugely important was missing at the ceremony. But what I’ll remember most clearly is my cousin laughing and smiling and hugging and thanking people all day, and running around the dance floor in her beautiful wedding gown, high heels kicked off long before midnight.

(Sometimes, I like to stare at the camera as though I had just seen a ghost or needed to be institutionalized immediately. Maybe it’s the awesome bull head necklace. Or the fact that my brother looks like a frickin’ BOSS in this.)