This past October, I was invited to experience one of the greatest showings of love I’ve ever witnessed.
It was a moment alive with honesty, humor, tears, laughter, enthusiasm, comfort, family, friends and home. And dancing. Lots of dancing.
I count it as one of the single most magical experiences of my life.
It was the wedding of my dear friends, Michael and Gabe.
Gay, straight, what have you. Literally, the best vows I've ever been invited to witness. My favorite quote was from Michael in his vows to Gabe: "I used to look forward to leaving my house every day. Now, with you, I can't wait to come home." Home is where the heart is.
Yes, a “gay wedding”. But do we really need to call it that?
A wedding is simply a celebration of marriage. So while it may have been gay in the sense that it was indeed a very happy affair, why must we refer to it as that? We don’t call other weddings “straight weddings”, do we?
So why must we be voting on this basic human right at this point in our history?
Listen, I truly cling to the belief that everyone is entitled to their own politics and religion.
I really do. I’m a big proponent of american politics like that.
I truly embrace those American values.
I do.
But until you’ve witnessed two of the best men you know saying “I Do” and joining into a forever-partnership, you might want to withhold your unkind words.
These vows do nothing to you.
They don’t break any bond.
They don’t sever the relationship that marriage represents.
They don’t “teach a lesson” about the modern degradation of values.
And they don’t have an impact on you or this country.
They’re just 2 people getting married and starting their own family.
Yep, it’s that simple.
How would you feel if you weren’t legally able to marry the love of your life?
Maybe this doesn’t look like your love…but it’s their love and it’s love, nonetheless.
And, be honest here, folks. How many of you have been questioned at some point for your taste in love?
I sure have. We all have. It’s not a good feeling. And unless your love is being questioned because you’re truly marrying a bad person, it’s not helpful either.
I know a lot of people who oppose same-sex marriage and they are good people. Smart people. Kind people. So now I speak to them and to those of you on the fence.
Think with your head.
But feel…and empathize…with your heart.
And let it go.
It’s not YOUR fight.
It is their lives.
As someone once told me, when I was 16 and espousing my belief about no sex before marriage (it didn’t last), “You don’t ‘believe in it? It’s happening. It’s not a matter of belief.”
Believe what you want but it’s going on. It’s happening, people.
Any union of two loving souls connecting makes me believe in love, have faith in humanity and – as a single gal -hopefully gives me a little hope.
But above all that, it gives me patience with people and love. Because right now, that’s what my friends are having to do, too.
Here’s to hoping that they don’t have to be patient much longer.
xoxo,
Dawn
