NaBloPoMo Day 15: Getting Married, Part 1

A week ago today, Inspector Climate and I got married.

First things first, thank you so much to Sister Climate for taking all of these photos!!

I don't think it is a secret that I had my reservations about our less intimate than I wanted marriage ceremony.  That morning, Inspector Climate and I got ready together and I waited for the butterflies to hit. I waited for the tell tale signs of nervousness to hit: stomach ache, nausea, and irrational grumpiness.  I applied make up (looking at the pictures now, possibly too much sparkle around the eyes), Inspector Climate ironed his shirt.  I tried on several pairs of shoes before deciding on these.  We took the train into the city to meet his family.  My biggest fear is that I would say the vows wrong or that they would say something in Australian that I wouldn't understand.  No nerves. No fears.  Just happiness.

We talked to the celebrant to decide on the very simple and quick ceremony that we wanted.  We were going to exchange rings (I'm still wearing my engagement ring until our second wedding).  And then we walked into the room hand in hand and stood in front of a large wooden desk in the Old Treasury Building in Melbourne, which is located amongst a selection of other "old" (by Australian standards) buildings.

And so. There we were. Standing in front of Inspector Climate's grandparents, parents, Sister Climate, and Sister Climate's boyfriend. And my friend Jess.

Here's a hot tip for any Justice of the Peaces/Celebrants out there - learn the names of the bride and groom.  My middle name is not Terry. But for the moment, let's pretend it is.  To get married in Australia, you must say the bride's (and groom's) full name.  Deidre Terry Decoybetty.  And yet, the celebrant could not pronounce it.  Deidre Terrorist Decoybitty? Terr-or-or-orist Dick-oyBitty? To the point where Inspector Climate and I had to step in and say it, but by then Inspector Climate had lost his place in repeating his vows and we had to start over.  My feelings aren't hurt that she couldn't pronounce my name, I was just relieved it wasn't me who was making the errors in our vows.

Then it was my turn, my voice quivered as I repeated my part after the celebrant and Inspector Climate smiled down on me as we declared our commitment to loving and caring for each other for ever.

We exchanged rings.

And then we were married!  I had waited all day to feel just a smidge of uneasiness, and there was just happiness! (Is there another way to show happiness other than spirit fingers? If there is, please enlighten me!).

After our short (less than ten minutes) ceremony, Inspector Climate's family came up to congratulate us and welcome me to the family.  As his grandmother hugged me and cried, I felt so grateful that I had put aside some of my own selfish desires so that Inspector Climate's grandparents could celebrant this day with us.  She hugged me so tightly, it made it all so worth it.  As we left the building as husband and wife we try to take a jumping photo ... It's blurry, but I kind of like it anyway:

Happy one week anniversary, Inspector Climate. It's been basically just the same as it was before except now I get to awkwardly call you Husband and giggle because it doesn't seem quite real yet.