Chapter 14: As the Stars in Heaven
"I'm ready." Phil said breathlessly, nervously taking a hand to check that his kippah was still straight. The wedding coordinator nodded and pressed a button on her headset.
"We're a go." She said calmly, and turned the brass knob to the French doors that led out to the courtyard. Phil could see the minister lift his hands to the congregation, instructing them to stand as Phil made his way down the aisle on the right side of the courtyard. Phil cut his eyes past his mother's head to see if he could catch a glimpse of Frank from the other aisle. But the rows were full of friends and family, making it an impossible task.
What he did manage to see was the small tear that trickled down his mother's cheek and her nose began to redden as she tried to sniff quietly to keep her emotions at bay. Phil's father was holding up as well as to be expected too. He caught Phil's gaze and gave him an assuring wink and a slight squeeze to his arm. Phil looked straight ahead and saw his brother waiting for him with a wide grin on his face, along with his sister-in-law, Biff, his cousin Rachel, and Tony. Mayim was beginning to get emotional too as she withdrew a dainty handkerchief from under her bouquet and dabbed at her eyes.
It wasn't until Phil and his parents reached the chuppah that he even realized music had been playing. Phil looked to the officiants his mother and Laura had hired to conduct their wedding. Rabbi Schumley and Rev. Zimmerman stood there, smiling patiently. The music stopped and the minister began the service with reading a passage of scripture.
"My beloved is mine and I am his.
He said to me:
Set me like a seal on your heart
Like a seal on your arm.
For love is strong as death,
Jealousy relentless as Sheol.
The flash of it is a flash of fire,
A flame of the Lord himself.
Love no flood can quench
no torrent drown.*"
Phil was trying his best to concentrate on the words the minister was saying, all the while still trying to see Frank out of the corner of his eye, but Fenton was blocking his fiancé from view. He heard the rabbi clear his throat slightly before he began a prayer in Hebrew. That snapped Phil's attention back to the front and center. When the rabbi was done the minister began his opening remarks.
"Dear family and friends, we are gathered here to join Phillip Aaron and Franklin Lewis in Marriage. It is so fitting that you, their family and friends, be here to witness and participate in their wedding, because the ideals, the understanding, and mutual respect that they each bring to this union, find their roots in the love, friendship and guidance that you have given them throughout the years." said the minister as he addressed the congregation.
The rabbi in turn took the opportunity address Frank and Phil regarding the significance of the chuppah.
"The wedding canopy, or chuppah, is a multifaceted symbol. It creates a special and sacred space for this extraordinary moment in your lives. Your chuppah is open on all sides to symbolize the importance of the world that lies beyond your new home and how important your family and friends will be in your future. Your parents surround you, for they are the true foundation upon which the structure of your lives rests. The fragileness of the chuppah is a reminder that you must both take great care to protect the integrity and strength of the holy union that you both have begun to build today. Surely, the only true anchor that you will now have will be holding on to each other. Yes, your chuppah represents a house full of promises and it is now filled with your joyous hopes and dreams! As G-d promised to Abraham, "I will greatly bless you, and I will exceedingly multiply your children as the stars in heaven.""
"Who presents these young men before G-d to be joined in marriage?" Rev. Zimmerman asked.
"His mother and I." Fenton and Moshe answered in unison. At that point the three Cohens and Hardys pivoted toward each other under the chuppah and their fathers gently urged the grooms forward. As both young men saw each other for the first time that day, their parents stepped back and took their seats in the front row.
Frank silently gasped as he laid eyes on Phil. He looked as handsome and dapper as he usually did on special occasions, but the closely trimmed beard he'd been sporting for months was gone, his face was smooth. Frank loved the way Phil looked, no matter how he wore the hair on his head or his facial hair. But there was something about when Phil's face was smooth that made Frank's heart go pitter-patter. Maybe it made Phil look younger, and reminded Frank of when he first realized he had feelings for the honey and hazel-eyed boy.
Phil was equally pleased to see Frank at last. The warm lighting of the candles picked up the golden tones in Frank's chestnut brown hair. His chocolaty brown eyes were warm and full of love as he gasped and then smiled. If it weren't for the officiants and having to wait go through their ceremony, Phil would have wrapped Frank in his arms and kissed him then and there. Speaking of the officiants, one of must have asked them to join hands, because Frank smiled gently and Phil suddenly felt the warmth of Frank's hands in his.
"Out of two different and distinct traditions, Phillip and Franklin have come together to learn and share the best of each; appreciating their differences but confirming that being together is far, far better than being apart from one another. As we celebrate this marriage under the chuppah, they will soon light the Unity Candle, the Christian symbol of two people becoming one in this celebration of matrimony." The minister spoke and invited Pearl and Laura up to the chuppah to light the slender white tapers on the table that stood between the grooms and the officiants.
"Light is a symbol of G-d' s presence, especially G-d's love for us. It reminds us of the power of divine love and the great potential of human love as a reflection of it. Now, your mothers, Pearl and Laura, will light the two tapers representing your lives up to this point." Their mothers each struck a match and lit a candle. They returned to their seats by their husbands for the rest of the ceremony.
"That Phillip and Franklin are able to love is a reflection of the fact that they have been loved. With these two lit tapers, they will light one candle together. Today they become one, but each brings a special uniqueness to that union. When two souls that are destined for each other, find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being." Phil and Frank each picked up a taper and lit the pillar candle in the middle. Phil watched as Frank blew out his taper, and Phil followed suit, placing the smaller candle back in it's holder. They faced each other again and Phil made sure to grasp Frank's hands first this time.
Then soft music played as the soprano and tenor began to sing. Frank gazed into Phil's eyes, losing himself as the lyrics and melody filled the air and rose to the heavens as they followed the wisps of smoke from the tapers.
Never knew, I could feel like this,
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Everyday I love you more and more
Listen to my heart can you hear it sing?
Tellin' me to give you everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you, until the end of time.
Come what may, Come what may
I will love you, until my dying day.
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you.
And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide.
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side.
Storm clouds may gather,
And stars may collide.
But I love you, I love you
Until the end of time
Come what may, Come what may
I will love you, until my dying day.
Oh come what may, come what may
I will love you , I will love you…
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place…
Come what may, Come what may
I will love you
Until my dying day. *
"May you build a life together that is bright with the laughter of children and smiles of friends and family. May your home be a haven from the tensions of our time and a wellspring of strength; may it be the one place where you most want to be at the end of each day. And, may the years deal gently with you both. Walking together, may you find much more in your union as husbands than either of you would have found alone." The minister stepped back as the rabbi came forward for his part in the ceremony.
"May you be generous and giving with each other.
May your sense of humor and devotion to one another always continue to enliven your relationship.
May you appreciate and complement each other's differences.
May you always share yourselves openly with your friends and family.
May you respect each other's individual personality and philosophy, and give each other room to grow and fulfill each other's dreams.
May you understand that neither of you is perfect: you are both subject to human frailties; and may love strengthen when you fall short of each other's expectations." For the last of the seven blessings, the rabbi raised a cup of wine for the Kiddush*.
"This cup of wine is symbolic of the cup of life. Wine is a symbol of joy, of the richness of life and the sweetness of love. It is appropriate therefore, that on this happy occasion you toast life with this ancient symbol. Blessed be life, health, and the love that enables you to celebrate the happiness of this most important day. Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech haolom, borei p'ri hagafen.*"
The rabbi handed Phil the cup first, the raven haired boy turned to his fiancé and spoke the words he had been practicing for weeks.
"As freely as G-d has given me life, I join my life to yours. Wherever you go, I will go. Whatever you face, I will face. In good or ill, in happiness or sadness, come riches or poverty, I take you as my partner for life, and I will give myself to no other." Then he took a sip of the wine and handed the cup to Frank.
"I come here today to join my life to yours before this company. In their presence I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years. Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here that this love will be my only love. I will make my home in your heart, from this day forward." Frank imbibed in the wine as well then he handed the cup back to the rabbi.
Rabbi Schmuley looked to Joe and Samuel and asked for the rings. In typical Joe Hardy fashion, he made of show of searching his pockets with a bewildered look on his face. Vanessa, not so discreetly, cuffed the back of his head lightly. Chet, Biff and Frank's cousin Claudia snickered, but Melissa stood there, unamused. Finally he smiled and passed the ring to the rabbi, a good natured chuckle went through the crowd.
"These rings in their unbroken wholeness are tokens of your pledge to each other and of your love for one another. The wedding rings are regarded as fitting symbols of marriage, for they are fashioned to have neither beginning nor end. They represent the enduring trust and affection that you bring to one another, and they are the outward and visible symbols of two lives that are now united in marriage. Phillip and Franklin, the hands that you are now holding are the hands of your best friend. These are the hands that will work along side of yours as you build your future together. These are the hands that will carry your children. And, these are the same hands that, when wrinkled with age, will still be reaching out for yours."
Frank thought of the visions he'd had of he and Phil when their adopted children were grown, when silver and white had overtaken their hair. Frank smiled and squeezed Phil's hands just a bit. Phil returned the gesture and used his thumbs to rub slow circles over Frank's knuckles as the rabbi continued his speech. The rabbi handed Phil Frank's ring first, and Phil placed the silver ring on the third finger of Frank's left hand.
"Franklin, with this ring, I join my life with yours.
I join my life with yours in loving kindness and compassion.
I join my life with yours in faithfulness.
I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
When it was his turn, Frank did the same, looking into Phil's eyes, seeing them begin to moisten as the realization that all they had wanted and dreamed of was finally here.
"Phillip, with this ring, I join my life with yours.
I join my life with yours in loving kindness and compassion.
I join my life with yours in faithfulness.
Ani l'dodi v'dodi li." Frank could see the look of amusement and pride on Phil's face that he had memorized the Hebrew words to the last part of their ring exchange. The minister stepped up beside the rabbi.
"Now, go and enter into the days of your true togetherness. And may those days be good and long upon this earth. Now, by the authority vested in us on behalf of the State of New York, we declare that you, Phillip Aaron and Franklin Lewis, are husband for life."
The rabbi opened his prayer book and addressed Frank's parents.
"Y'varech'cha Adonai V'yishm'recha"
"May G-d bless you and keep you." Fenton and Laura looked to their wedding program and responded in English.
He then looked to Phil's parents.
"Yaeir Adonai Panav Eilecha Vichuneka"
"May G-d's countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you." Moshe and Pearl replied.
"Yisa Adonai Panav Eilecha V'yaseim L'cha Shalom"
"May G-d look upon you with favor and grant you peace." The parents called out to their sons in unison.
The rabbi held up two cloth covered bundles, each contained a small glass inside.
"The breaking of the glass at a wedding is a symbolic prayer and hope that you will spend as many years together in happiness as it would take to collect all the pieces of the glass and reassemble it. After Phillip and Franklin break their glasses then we will shout, "Mazel Tov" which means congratulations!" These last instructions were for the benefit of the non-Jewish guests in the courtyard.
Frank and Phil clasped hands and simultaneously stomped on their respective glasses. The popping sound of the shattering glasses rang out through the courtyard. It was followed by joyous shouts of "Mazel Tov!", applause and laughter from the congregation.
"You may kiss your husband!" the rabbi told the boys, and in front of an entire courtyard full of people, Phil cupped Frank's face with his hands and his new husband wrapped his arms around Phil's neck. Like two magnets they came together…
And they kissed.
ooOOoo
Author's Notes:
*"My beloved is mine, and I am his…" from Song of Songs.
*"Come What May" from the musical film "Moulin Rouge"
*Kiddush: Blessing of the wine
*"Baruch Atah…" Hebrew blessing: Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine".
Interesting tidbits: When I first decided to write this story, I originally titled it "As the Stars in Heaven." But with my penchant for using song titles for these stories, I changed my mind. Also, in my own wedding, we did not do the Unity Candle. I had been to one too many weddings where things did not go as planned when the mothers tried to light their child's taper, and, with my rotten luck, I was afraid of catching my veil on fire. I had also wanted to use "Come what may" in our wedding, but the singers my mother hired specialized in Christian-based wedding music, and were not keen on singing a song from "Moulin Rouge." :/
Well folks, hope you're up for some dinner and dancing and more wedding fun in the next chapter. Thanks to my faithful reviewers and for all of you for your readership. I raise my glass to you!