Since pandemic times, which sounds like I’m referring to an historical disaster (which it was), my truly talented wife has been offering online, gentle yoga classes. Recently, we decided to return to that era’s pricing structure (Pay What You Can Afford) so that more people can take her classes, connecting with their bodies and minds, and enjoy the benefits of our online community. Now, more than ever, that feels important, so feel free to mosey over to Bethbierko.com and register for a class, ya’ll!!
After this morning’s classes, we are driving to Hawley, PA where we plan to beat up some Pennsylvanians for electing DJT. Just kidding! We are attending a wedding and (great bonus) spending the weekend with our eldest daughter, Helen, who flew up here to go to the event.
The bride is a family friend who we have known for over twenty years. We met when both of our broods camped on the Atlantic shore at Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, NY. Our youngest, Steph, was just a toddler when she waltzed on to their campsite and we all became the best of friends. They have three girls (now women) and our kids all get along famously. Whenever Beth and I are in Long Island – which is frequently in our line of work – we have an open invitation to stay at their home. Accordingly, we’ve been present for one another’s evolving lives and have enjoyed being close long after our beach vacation days.
What a blessing, then, to attend the second wedding in their family. Life is glorious sometimes.
Our friends are Long Islanders, but I believe the groom’s family are from Pennsylvania. My sense is that the wedding is also going to cost a lot less in a more rural location which was a factor in their decision. Like many in their generation, they’ve come to realize that buying a home is nearly impossible for millennials, so the wedding is, in part, a fundraiser to get them started. (I think that’s what weddings used to be before they turned into ultra-expensive, “look at me” celebrations.)
It’s a pleasure to put on a suit every now and then to celebrate and dance, even if we might grumble a bit about the small inconveniences of leaving home. It sounds cliche, but I remember how special it was to marry Beth thirty-two years ago like it was yesterday. And part of that was the pleasure of drawing together family and friends, 99% of whom enjoyed the event and behaved themselves. Weddings can bring out the barely hidden drama in families when all of the expectations and histories come together.
Our girls are 30 and 25 and there’s no immediate plans to dance (or deal with drama) in our near future. That said, I have some work to do, should I choose to do it, with one family member. Maybe it’s better to think ahead on that score. I’ll pray on that because a wedding is better when the only drama is on the alter.
I wish you a good weekend!
