Easy Going Love

It had been Conner again who'd asked me to do it. Would I come to the Florida Keys to perform the wedding of two of his best friends, Christy and Ronnie. He promised that it would be fun. I told him that I would because Conner asking and we always seem to have fun ... plus it was a trip to the Keys! I love it down there. I was also in desperate need of diversions. After a 23 year career, I'd burned out and was no longer working. I was also suddenly single, living alone in the house that we'd used to share so it was like living in an empty tomb. Aside from my dog Goddess, there was a tiny collection of people who were part of my life. I was sad, tired, questioning everything about how it could have happened to me, and full of uncertainty about what to do next. "Have fun with them," Conner instructed. "They are really good people." Eventually we set a time so that we could talk on the phone and I could get to know them. "Hello, I'm the Reverend Micheal Elliott," I said in my deepest and most solumn preacher's voice. "And before I can agree to do your wedding, I need you to answer some questions." They said fine though there was clear apprehension in their voices. Conner had told them that I was a crazy minister and a fun loving guy. "Now, which church do you attend?" After a moment of silence, Christy said "Um, we don't go to church." "I see," I gravely replied. "How many times have you read the Bible?" A longer period of silence followed. "We're not sure." "So you have read the Bible?" Silence again before they meekly said, "We haven't read the Bible." "I see," I said with even more gravity in my voice. "Do you beleive in God?" "Um," they said in a lingering sort of way. "OK," I continued, "Have you ever used God's name while having sex?" "YES!," they both exclaimed with enthusiasm. "Fine," I concluded, "we can proceed with this ceremony. Several weeks later, on the island of Islandmorada, as the sun set, I conducted their ceremony beside the ocean. It was a glorious affair with lots of laughter and affirmation of easy going love. They sailed away on a boat to commence their marriage. We all burst into laughter. If you go to Christy's Face Book page, her profile picture is the three of us standing there. She's looking stuningly beautiful in a formal wedding dress. Her face is radiant. Ronnie is wearing a flowered shirt and a broad smile as he celebrates with those watching. And I'm standing there with my arms raised in blessing, wearing a black robe and a UGA baseball cap. They are laughing because I'd just put the cap on my head before pronouncing them husband and wife. Last night, Sarah and I were with Christy and the story was retold in laughter the way friends do. We were at the wedding of Conner and Hania's son. It was another beautiful ceremony and The Nines were blasting good dance music. We all danced and celebrated. And there was a moment when I was back there on Islandmorado, suffering through the worst times of my life but being reminded by Christy and Ronnie that when love happens, it is a joyous explosion of happiness.