I warned you that tradi­tion would be a driving force for this blog. Weddings are perhaps the best point in our lives to begin sorting through the tradi­tions of your family to discover what has meaning for you.

So, I want to know: What is it in your lineage in which you take a great deal of pride and comfort? In this global world, it is too easy to envi­sion a melting pot where all cultures and all tradi­tions melt into one another like different kinds of choco­late. (I was going to say candles, but I thought, hmmm why bother with candles when there’s choco­late in the world!) But differ­ence is exactly what makes the world rich and exciting.

For people whose fami­lies moved to the US recently, family customs are more visible. But what about those whose history is so blended that it’s diffi­cult remember or discern cultural tradi­tions. Well, my dears, research is our friend!

I did a wedding for a couple and the bride was Ukranian. Her grand­mother, now living in this country spoke no English. But she knew what was needed at a wedding. At each plate at the recep­tion was a peace dove made of bread that she had made. The doves weren’t for eating (and yes we explained this during the wedding!). They were to take home and hang in the window so that all might see and know that peace had visited this home.

It was a lovely tradi­tion. First, the bride’s grand­mother had made some­thing wonderful for the wedding. That was enough to bring tears to everyone’s eyes. But secondly, the notion that weddings create peace! I wanted to go to wedding after wedding and receive a dove (the first part was easy for a wedding cele­brant, the second, not so much!). I wanted wedding doves to hang in every window of my house.

I want the notion that love makes peace possible not only between a couple, but in the world to spread and spread and spread. Let’s get married for peace.

Your love deserves nothing less!

Believing in you and your love,
Ann

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