Nutty Nuptials

Over the first weekend of April, we participated in the wedding of John’s running buddy, Thor. The previous month we’d hosted the Stag Run bachelor party - so of course we’d get to help with the wedding too! In fact, that ball had begun rolling back at Christmas when Ironboy and his fiance, Heather, had asked John to officiate at the wedding.

We know what you’re thinkin’… And frankly, we didn’t realize he could do it either. But as it turns out, at least in Massachusetts, with a flattering reference and an application to The Governor, one can be granted authority to do such things!  So, in February, John’s license to solemnize arrived…

So on a rainy Friday night, John trucked out to Stow to participate in the rehearsal. After many laughs and a little bit of practice, the wedding party retreated to the Horseshoe Pub where Shawn and the boys joined in the festivities. There was a lot of fun getting to know each other and they could have partied all night but… There were big responsibilities the next day!

The wedding day dawned a bit dark and damp. But there was no way the weather was gonna put a damper on this event. For weeks, John had been practicing his imitation of The Impressive Clergyman and he was ready to put it to use!

As the ceremony began, John’s first word was “Mawage!!”  He then followed with a much more conventional ceremony that, by all accounts, was lovely. Heather and Thor created the ceremony and wrote and presented their own vows.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!!

The party that followed was one for the ages!! Toasts. Beer. Dancing. Jokes. It lasted into the wee hours and left many a casualty. Breakfast with the families was a parting pleasure before we headed home with warmed hearts, fuzzy heads, and great memories.

Mom and the boys looked great and the running pals, both real and imaginary, were there as well!

Good luck Heather and Thor! Thanks for letting John and all of us be part of your special day! (Many more pictures from the wedding can be seen here.)

A few highlights from the ceremony:

First words of The Officiant…

Mawage… (long pause) is a serious endeavor. It’s not a venture to be taken lightly or entered into without due consideration.

The Definition of Marriage…

But you must also remember that your young marriage will be precariously balanced - as a child walking for the first time on two legs… …as it grows and your marriage gains experience and builds agility, that child will run… And bike. And swim. And dance and leap with joy!

From Thor’s vows…

Heather, at mile 80 of a long bike ride, some people find a world of hurt. What I found one day, high in the hills of Pennsylvania, was a deep, enduring love set on the foundation of your amazing support… My Edelweiss, I love you.

From Heather’s vows…

With you I feel that anything is possible. And no matter what happens, we can make it through together… Thor, as I stand here before you ready to be your wife, know this; you have my heart.

The pronouncement…

And now, by the power momentarily vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride…

From John’s reception toast…

Another wedding night tradition [that you may wish to consider], was the ‘salmon leap’. The ‘salmon leap’, was supposedly the traditional way the groom joined his bride in the wedding bed. The groom would crouch on the floor at the end of the bed and then spring into it in a single leap, imitating a spawning salmon. If the fish are jumping tonight, Heather, I’d swim to the edge of the river….