The Dave Debbie Connection

June 9, 2007 is a day that will live in infamy.

That is the date that I married Deborah Lynn Schilstra, my dearest love and best friend, at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton Ontario.

From outside appearances, the wedding and reception was not much different than any other typical wedding and reception in Canada, so I shall spare you the gruesome task of regurgitating details that already come to mind when one thinks of a Canadian Wedding. I shall concentrate on the facts that made this wedding uniquely ours.

1. We served Tim Bits between the ceremony and the reception. Deborah and I can be seen toasting wtih Tim Bits in the above picture.
   
   
2. We had Lego (well, a cheap lego substitute, but it worked) on the tables at our reception. Guests were invited to make something out of the Lego to present to the bride and groom, who would then kiss. We were told that we ended up kissing more than brides and grooms have at other weddings our guests has attended previously. We did not mind.
   
   
3. On the way to the rehearsal, we drove through a major thunderstorm, and into an area under a Tornado watch. We didn't care. There was some hitching to do!
   
   
4. Aside from the pastor and the caterer, we had no outside help for the wedding, our piano player, photographer, videographer, MC, reception music etc was handled by friends and family.
   
   
5. Deborah was driven to the church in her fathers 1928 Durant. (seen in the above picture).
   
   
6. Hokey crap, I actually got married!
   

Most people we have talked to during the day expressed amazement at how calm we both were about the wedding. To me it felt as natural as putting on a jacket. That to me is the most amazing part. If someone had told me two years ago that I would now be married I would have laughed in their face, and pictured the worst possible situation in my head. Now, I can't help but feel anything but happiness and good feelings about my future.

As I stood at the front of the chapel, waiting for my bride to drive up, I must confess to being nervous, and tears came to my eyes. I first saw Deborah in her wedding dress, with a veil covering her face, through the back windows of the chapel. An amazing and overwhelming feeling came over me. It was like everything I knew to be true about her, and our relationship hit me all at once (like a frozen puck to the head, one might say). I was about to marry my best friend, deepest love, and most trusted companion. She was about to walk down the aisle and join me in a union that will last my entire life. And willingly at that! I couldn't wait for her to walk down that aisle! The smile she gave me when I finally took her hand was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I am still lost in the glow in her eyes.

I have never been happier, or at peace with the world, during these past 5 days of marriage. Its a euphoria that keeps washing over me. Every time I look at her, or even think of her, I cannot help but smile. Every time she looks at me, I cannot help but feel blessed. I am caught up in a whirlwind of emotion based on our love, commitment and friendship.

I know these feelings will fade, and all to soon we will settle down into married life. However I do know that for the rest of my life these feelings will stay with me. The best possible thing that could ever happen to me has just occurred, and I get to enjoy it for the rest of our lives.

Together.

What a beautiful thing that is.