Yup, I'm mushy goo....

Wow. One weekend, two unity candle ceremonies, four weddings, one presentation of a bride and groom that involved them expressing their joy through the medium of performance dance. Just when I think I'd seen almost everything, its a certainty that I haven't. And then there's so much more.
First wedding was brilliant. The grooms had sent out fifty invites expecting ten people might follow them from the US to party in the great white north. Over half of their invitees spent time and money in traveling from as far away as Texas to celebrate. It was an overwhelmingly beautiful ceremony, with music and offerings of words by friends. Next wedding were friends of girls I'd married in June, with family and the June brides in attendance. When I asked for support from the crowd, everyone responded enthusiastically, it was fabulous. I stayed and helped tidy a bit and was given a large bag of cheese by the caterer, and we laughed over her plan to put "I'm straight and I cook" on business cards in order to meet someone. She's got great character and looks like a Waterhouse painting so I'm keeping my eye out for her. I had to go back to the first wedding to give them their ceremony copy, and by the time I got home in my stupid damn dress shoes I could hardly walk.
Second day began well with my lovelies scholar test. He answered about 45 minutes of questions and then fought seven guys in succession to pass, and when they gave him his commemorative dagger and commended him on his great heart I, sitting up on the balcony with no less than seven friends who'd come out specifically to show support, well I actually misted up. The fights were shot with a motion camera and should be up on the web soon, I'll post the link when they are. Drinking and pub food followed, followed by the third wedding of the day back and the same place as the second wedding the day before. Thankfully staggering distance from the pub. For whatever reason, the start time was delayed by chit chat and questioning (responded to good naturedly by the hosts) for about 45 minutes, so that I was rushed afterward to get to my next wedding. I was officially 28 min late from the time I said I'd been there, but the bride was late as well so it all worked out. She was adorable in a shorter wedding dress with hot pink crinolin underneath, and this is where the performance dance came in after. It had been extremely important to reflect the couples desires in the ceremony, and I'd done my level best but in some ways was still anxious, until I overheard the groom say after to an effusive guest "I know, she only met with us for a half hour, and it was perfect". Utterly content, I went home where Ross was still carrying his dagger around the house. He slept near it. He placed it near his mixing board. It left his side only today when he went to work because...well, work. He's so bloody happy and I'm pretty bloody proud. And we had excellent Chinese take away with excellent friends on Monday, with much wine drunk and emotions expressed. And the mastering is done on the latest Timothy Harper CD, which is head and shoulders above the last. I came home last night watching as they compared the sound quality to other CDs. Yesterday I found a homeless woman who'd got some beads and wire together and was making angels to sell, admired the initiative, and bought one. I turned it over in my hands as I listened to the music and then gave it to Timothy for is fabulous wife.
And today is our anniversary, Ross and I. Nine years ago I woke up, knowing the day was going to be great. Legally married in a coffee shop, ceremonially married (story involves not calling the minister in time) with 150 close friends and relations followed by a potluck feast. In between? I hit a yardsale with my mum, got a very nice tea pot. Truly great day. Others since have been better and also far, far, worse. It's been challenging, brutal, uplifting, hilarious and very strange. I look forward to at least the next two nines, hopefully four. I think we're going out for dinner tonight.
Overall feeling: 12 kinds of blessed.