A wedding is an exercise in family-building; visibly uniting two individuals, their families, and their friends and committing to long-term mutual support. 

 

A wedding is also an exercise in family-rebuilding, re-uniting family members and friends who have, in some cases, allowed time and distance to separate their lives for far too long. 

 

Jonathan and Jennie provided the occasion for a remarkable re-union on my side of the family.  Brother, niece, cousins, and best friend from college came from the points of the compass to celebrate the wedding of a nephew/cousin/second-cousin/godchild whom they had last seen in person 10 or 20 years ago (or not at all). 

Family and friends from other branches of the family-and-friend tree converged on central Ohio from nearby and far away.  Scotland and England. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.  Massachusetts and Connecticut.  Florida.  California and Oregon.  Tennessee and Georgia.  Ohio:  Cleveland, Columbus, Tiffin, Cincinnati, and Grove City.  Montana.

I saw a life-lesson unfolding as so many wonderful people acted on the commitment to be present for this celebration. The connections of family and friendship last, and they grow.  They endure across distance; whether we are city blocks, miles, or an ocean apart.  A wedding inspires us to celebrate those connections and commit to their future.  We celebrate the love and commitment of the bride and groom.  We also celebrate the love of family and friends, united by a shared history and re-united for a shared future.

 

As we dispersed, we promised to stay in touch, to send photos, to connect on Facebook.  We invited each other to visit.  We renewed our vows as siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, parents, children, and friends.