They say it takes a village to raise a child. Turns out, it also takes a congregation of forty slightly feverish saints to pull off a wedding when half of them are coughing their way down the aisle. In our small town, we share everything, including hacking coughs and Covid.
In less than two short weeks, the Love Birds will marry despite the uninvited guest of COVID. The bride has a supply of tissues along with her delicate hankie, the groom has the thermometer, and the attendants will have enough hand sanitizer to bathe in. Somehow, this will work because this ball is rolling.
As a church family, there was no need for a professional wedding planner. HHH and I stepped up to the plate. As with many things, I stepped up and included him. As the days have gone by, he’s enjoying himself, (but don’t tell anyone). With our entire church membership ready to leap into action even while sniffling and sneezing, this wedding is going to be splendid.
The small but mighty ring-bearer promised not to swallow the rings before delivery. Just in case there is any misunderstanding, the maid of honor will guard the real rings with her life. The flower girl will scatter petals like a germ-free fairy princess.
The bride and groom will walk down the aisle to harp music played by our own personal harpist. While the overflow crowd will watch the nuptials on the jumbotron in the second seating area. It will be an incentive to arrive early for the best seats in the house. Being on a Sunday afternoon, I would assume half the guests will stay after the last “Amen” to help.
After the first-look, photographs, ceremony, and reception line, the bride and groom will lead their adoring guest to the second venue, just up the road, for a scrumptious meal and wedding cake. There, the fellowship ladies will have assembled the reception feast with gloves, Lysol, and prayers for a happy life. Everyone has a role, even if their biggest contribution is bringing their own box of Kleenex.
What could be better than one pastor officiating a wedding? Two pastors. Together, they’ll make sure the “I do’s” happen before anyone has to excuse themselves for a coughing fit.
Through it all, our brave bride and groom will shine with their own happy glow. COVID might have taken away the sound of clear voices and replaced them with sniffles, but it can’t steal the joy of two hearts finally saying “YES”. Because, at the end of the day, love is not measured in centerpieces or flawless ceremonies. It’s measured in determination, laughter, and maybe a few negative test results.
In less than two weeks, forty church members, two pastors, one heroic ring bearer, and a handful of cough drops will make the impossible possible. The Love Birds will tie the knot. And we’ll help them do it in true small-church fashion—together.
More tomorrow.