My Gratitude List: Wedding Edition

For the past eighteen months, in addition to a decades-long tradition of keeping a diary, I’ve been writing in a gratitude journal. During these challenging times, finding and appreciating the positive is of great comfort. What remains a constant on my list – that the stars aligned for Steve and me to have the wedding of our dreams.

After two Covid-related postponements and well over a year after our initial date, we finally tied the knot over Thanksgiving weekend. It couldn’t have been a more fitting holiday given how everything came together for us.

I’m most grateful we were able to celebrate safely with those closest to our hearts. With a smaller guest list (82 instead of 160) and everyone in attendance being fully vaccinated, nobody got sick thank God. We could not have asked for a better wedding present — though the kindness and generosity with which we’ve been showered continues to blow us away.

I’m grateful our special day happened before – literally right before, as it turned out — the current surge. Many of our family and friends flew into New York from out of state or out of the country. I can’t and don’t want to imagine what the wedding would have been without them. Speaking of those who traveled a fair distance, I am deeply grateful for cherished Europe-based girlfriends Camilla, Candy, Caroline, Eva and Leila. In addition to crossing the Atlantic, they navigated ever-changing Covid restrictions and test requirements to be with us.

Also braving the pandemic-era skies were dear friends A Martinez, Bobbi, Brad, Gaby, Inga, Lisa and Deane, Marilyn, Matt, Susannah, Taslin and Viva, along with my amazing in-laws. I don’t have the words to say how much this meant to me and Steve.

I’m grateful to our beloved Benji. Not only did this little lovebug ace his duties as pup of honor, he took good care of me like he always does.

When emotions started getting the better of me, Benj instinctively knew. For a good twenty minutes while I was getting my hair done, he did not leave my side. His sweet face and affection calmed my nerves.

I’ve often said the wedding felt like being enveloped in the biggest, most loving group hug ever. A huge part of that was the presence of my longtime hero, A. Having A walk me down the aisle and sharing a special dance together were two of the happiest moments in a day defined by an extraordinary abundance of them.

I’m deeply grateful to cousin-in-law Julie and longtime dear friend Lisa R. for making sure I stayed well hydrated at the reception. Hubs and I worked up quite a sweat on the dance floor, so plying me with water was no small thing! Love you, ladies.

I’m grateful to Enza Events for their hard work and creativity. From stunning florals and table décor to lighting, Enza and her fabulous team brought my winter wonderland vision to life.

Ditto for wedding cake designer extraordinaire Ron Ben-Israel. Our spectacular two cakes tasted as beautiful as they looked. At a time when customer service has become the exception rather than the rule, RBI Cakes and Enza Events went above and beyond. Working with them was an absolute delight.

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I will be forever grateful that, against pandemic odds, we were blessed with a magical, perfect day.

To quote Hungarian poet Janos Arany –

“In dreams and in love, there are no impossibilities.”