The Imperfect Wedding, or How Far Can She Kick Those Shoes?

A few years ago, back when I was living in Cooperstown, I happened to be at the lakeside park when a wedding rolled in. They had chairs set up overlooking an arbor that was next to the lake, and it would have all been beautiful except for one thing.

The same view, just a few weeks ago

It had rained non-stop for the two previous days. And I don't mean cute little sprinkles, I mean a deluge that had flooded some of the roads. So, these lovely chairs spread out on the grass had all sunk about an inch into the ground.

The bridal party pulled up in one of the village's famous trolleys. Out popped the groomsmen and the groom, who took positions near the arbor. The bridesmaids stepped out, barefoot or in flats, and made their way up the while. Finally, the bride and her father. She looked lovely in her gown and heels, and on her father's arm took the first steps onto the grass....and proceded to sink right in.

What happened next was one of the best wedding things I think I'll ever see. Some brides would have panicked, kept trying to walk, or completely lost it at their big moment going wrong and bawled their way down the aisle. This bride? She hiked up her dress, kicked both shoes a good five feet away, then marched down to her groom and got married.

It was, in my opinion, the best metaphor for starting a marriage you could ask for. Things go wrong. Sometimes, you get stuck. But instead of staying stuck, or wallowing in it, you kick off your shoes and join hands with the person you love. I hope, as we move further down the road of planning this wedding, that I can keep in mind the shoe-kicking bride, and roll with any and all of the punches this process throws our way.