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Monday, May 29, 2006
Mazel tov
The big day finally arrived—Brian’s wedding! The few days leading up to it were a bit harried as there were a bunch of errands and social ENGAGEMENTS that we had previously COMMITTED to (theme! Get it? Ok, I’ll stop). Add to the mix drama with an eBay dress, scheduling miscues and helping AJ pack for Asia made for an interesting and busy weekend.
But naturally, the highlight was attending the wedding. It was a hot, beautiful day, and I almost sweated off all of my makeup on the drive there. Beautiful! Thank goodness for smudge/waterproof eye makeup. (This would prove to be a popular refrain on numerous occasions during the night.) The reception hall was really nice—not in the least bit gaudy, which is what I expected from the hall’s exterior. Brian and Ali had both their ceremony and reception at the hall, which was super convenient. The chupah was beautiful—all white gauzy chiffon. When Brian and Ali took their places before the rabbi and the cantor, backlit by the camera lights, there was a definite sense of peace and calm. The most moving parts of the ceremony was seeing Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Goldenberg and Ali walk slowly around Brian three times and hearing the cantor and Ali’s brother sing out the blessings to the couple. Because of these moments, there was such an Old World feeling to the entire ceremony. I know it’s cheesy, but you could really feel a sense of history and depth to the proceedings, especially when the cantor sung—his voice melancholy, solemn, pleading. How many generations before Brian and Ali have done this? In dark and in light, here and away. For the first time I felt the weight and beauty of the Jewish faith and it was…amazing. I hope I never forget this.
The reception was really fun—these families know how to throw a party! It actually outclassed the HQN Christmas party, by far. The band was amazing—Rob and Christina got their card (wedding-to-be in July ’07!); Earth Wind and Fire never sounded so good! And there was so much food. [AJ, the prime rib was the size of Kathy’s head! No joke! I chose to eat that (well attempted to finish, at least) instead of the chicken, which I gave to Leo. I know you’d be proud =)]
It felt a bit surreal to be with everyone again. It really was like prom, but the grown-up version. It was kind of bittersweet to think that at this happy event, this could be the last time everyone would be together, these people that I shared the majority of my teenage years with. Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome. And happy. I wish wish WISH I could say it was a perfect night, but it wasn’t. I didn’t feel that constant joy or spirit of celebration. I actually felt a bit wistful for a few moments because I felt a bit distant from everything, like sometimes I was just…watching this event unfold in front of me. I caught myself a number of times comparing people to their high-school selves. I remember you... How grown-up you are. And maybe that’s why my emotions have been so exaggerated as of late. I don’t fit in the same spaces that I used to (and I don’t mean winter weight!), and it’s unnerving; I’m out-of-sync with everyone else. Am I not trying hard enough? Maybe. Probably? I miss Liz. I miss Kartik. I miss the guaranteed ease of friendship. Everything feels too close to the surface, and I’ve been getting weepy over the smallest things. After I left the airport Sunday morning, I had to listen to AJ’s voice message seven times before I could stop crying. Ridiculous! I sound crazy. (But I really miss you and it’s only been a day and a half.)
Ugh, this entry has become depressing. Well, here’s the high note: Brian is married! To his beloved Ali, and I have a sneaking suspicion they’ll make it. Brian looked so happy, and it didn’t faze me to think of him as a married man (the ring looked odd on his finger though… probably because it looked fake!). I’m really happy for him. I don’t think I can ever get married though. Weddings are… for lack of a better word, INTENSE. all in all, the wedding was a blast =) congratulations mr & mrs. b. goldenberg!
And I’ve learned my lesson: I won’t buy another dress off of eBay… for the time being.
=)
The big day finally arrived—Brian’s wedding! The few days leading up to it were a bit harried as there were a bunch of errands and social ENGAGEMENTS that we had previously COMMITTED to (theme! Get it? Ok, I’ll stop). Add to the mix drama with an eBay dress, scheduling miscues and helping AJ pack for Asia made for an interesting and busy weekend.
But naturally, the highlight was attending the wedding. It was a hot, beautiful day, and I almost sweated off all of my makeup on the drive there. Beautiful! Thank goodness for smudge/waterproof eye makeup. (This would prove to be a popular refrain on numerous occasions during the night.) The reception hall was really nice—not in the least bit gaudy, which is what I expected from the hall’s exterior. Brian and Ali had both their ceremony and reception at the hall, which was super convenient. The chupah was beautiful—all white gauzy chiffon. When Brian and Ali took their places before the rabbi and the cantor, backlit by the camera lights, there was a definite sense of peace and calm. The most moving parts of the ceremony was seeing Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Goldenberg and Ali walk slowly around Brian three times and hearing the cantor and Ali’s brother sing out the blessings to the couple. Because of these moments, there was such an Old World feeling to the entire ceremony. I know it’s cheesy, but you could really feel a sense of history and depth to the proceedings, especially when the cantor sung—his voice melancholy, solemn, pleading. How many generations before Brian and Ali have done this? In dark and in light, here and away. For the first time I felt the weight and beauty of the Jewish faith and it was…amazing. I hope I never forget this.
The reception was really fun—these families know how to throw a party! It actually outclassed the HQN Christmas party, by far. The band was amazing—Rob and Christina got their card (wedding-to-be in July ’07!); Earth Wind and Fire never sounded so good! And there was so much food. [AJ, the prime rib was the size of Kathy’s head! No joke! I chose to eat that (well attempted to finish, at least) instead of the chicken, which I gave to Leo. I know you’d be proud =)]
It felt a bit surreal to be with everyone again. It really was like prom, but the grown-up version. It was kind of bittersweet to think that at this happy event, this could be the last time everyone would be together, these people that I shared the majority of my teenage years with. Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome. And happy. I wish wish WISH I could say it was a perfect night, but it wasn’t. I didn’t feel that constant joy or spirit of celebration. I actually felt a bit wistful for a few moments because I felt a bit distant from everything, like sometimes I was just…watching this event unfold in front of me. I caught myself a number of times comparing people to their high-school selves. I remember you... How grown-up you are. And maybe that’s why my emotions have been so exaggerated as of late. I don’t fit in the same spaces that I used to (and I don’t mean winter weight!), and it’s unnerving; I’m out-of-sync with everyone else. Am I not trying hard enough? Maybe. Probably? I miss Liz. I miss Kartik. I miss the guaranteed ease of friendship. Everything feels too close to the surface, and I’ve been getting weepy over the smallest things. After I left the airport Sunday morning, I had to listen to AJ’s voice message seven times before I could stop crying. Ridiculous! I sound crazy. (But I really miss you and it’s only been a day and a half.)
Ugh, this entry has become depressing. Well, here’s the high note: Brian is married! To his beloved Ali, and I have a sneaking suspicion they’ll make it. Brian looked so happy, and it didn’t faze me to think of him as a married man (the ring looked odd on his finger though… probably because it looked fake!). I’m really happy for him. I don’t think I can ever get married though. Weddings are… for lack of a better word, INTENSE. all in all, the wedding was a blast =) congratulations mr & mrs. b. goldenberg!
And I’ve learned my lesson: I won’t buy another dress off of eBay… for the time being.
=)
// posted by naomi @ 7:25 p.m. 
