Tradition

Remember the wonderful song from Fiddler on the Roof called Tradition? A childhood friend of mine was married over the weekend to a guy who's made her exceptionally happy over the last several years. She's Jewish and he's Chinese. Their ceremony, performed by a refreshingly outgoing Rabbi, contained the typical elements of a Jewish wedding but also a charming Oriental tea serving tradition which the bride and groom shared with their parents.

The reception, however, was refreshingly not totally traditional. Instead of a best man toast, the bride and groom took to the microphone themselves to impart a few words of wisdom and a short statement of thanks for those who'd gathered in their honor. They did have one expected dance, the hora, apart from their first dance as a married couple, but that was it. The rest of the time they played music that they loved (me too!) which catapulted us back into the 70s and 80s when we were carefree kids with no mortgages or full time jobs or car payments or elder care issues.

If my desires carry any weight, I wish them a long and happy life together.