before describing this wonderful day, i'd like to tell the story of how the whole idea was born. to facilitate matt's visa process in austria so that we could start up our family life more easily we knew that we wanted to get married asap.. in austria, orginally. while being in new orleans, we kind of talked about it a few times, but due to other obligations we postponed the idea almost every week.
the day before my birthday i finally said that if we did not ask now, we would run out of time! therefore we went to the st. bernard courthouse to apply for a marriage license. in principle it is required to bring a birth certificate for the application, unless a judge waives you through. therefore we stepped up and i asked the judge's secretary, whether they could help us or not. "sure, let's waive you through" she replied, without even asking the judge. he simply responded "wow, you are from austria.. i've been to munich and learned the most important german phrase: 'ich möchte ein bier, bitte!' if you want, i can marry you tomorrow.. normally the licensing process takes longer, but we can speed it up a little." well, this seemed to be faith, and we decided to just do it. if it wasn't for anything else, the bureaucratic reasons alone would be enough reason to not do it any different if i had a choice. so, this is how it all began..
after the breakfast, which my husband-to-be had prepared for me, the morning of my birthday we got ready for the big day..
matt & me met his closest family members at the court house and after waiting a few minutes, we nervously walked into the judge's office to tie the knot.since we only had a few guests, we'd like to share judge sanborn's moving words:"we are gathered here today to share in one of life's most beautiful moments. Let's pause and briefly reflect on the commitment that you are about to make. Among all of the people in your world you have selected each other as marriage partner. You have decided to live as one, to dedicate yourselves to each other, from now on.
you will, together, be sharing in life's beauty as well as its trials .. in happy times as well as sad .. in life's fullest joys, as well as its sorrows. your life will change, at least to some extent. Up until now, you have probably had yourself be concerned with. Now, you have each other. You will plan together .. make important decisions together .. work together .. act together. If you can always do things with consideration for each other, you will experience the joy and the happiness of your partnership.
now, as you enter you marriage, your strength will come from each other. you will be as a team. your desire will be to assist each other. you will make necessary sacrifices and you will share the successes of what will now be your family. your future will be as rewarding and as beautiful, as you, together, determine.
we are here for the purpose of joining this man and this woman in the estate of matrimony. if anyone can show just cause why these persons should not be lawfully joined together in the bonds of matrimony, let him now publicly declare it, or forever hereafter hold his peace."
"do you, monika/matthew, take this man/woman to be your wedded husband/wife, promising to him all of life's changes and to be his/her loving and true wife/husband until death divide you?"- i do. i do. we do!
and then, we had to repeat after him:"i, monika, take thee, matthew, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part."
"may these beautiful rings symbolize the purity and never-ending love you have for each other. you should wear them always, as a symbol of the perfect circle of duty that makes you one. you may place the ring on each other's fingers."
"for as matthew and monika have promised to be faithful and true to each other, and have witnessed same before this company by spoken vows and by giving and receiving rings in pledge, you hereby enter in to a new estate. as a judge of the state of louisiana, i hereby pronounce you husband and wife. you may now kiss the bride."
'what a great way to start a friday', emile pointed out.. and he was right. it was just perfect!
after signing the marriage certificate..
.. we stepped outside for a quick fotoshoot. as newly wedded husband and wife!
along with our little crowd, we headed towards the french quarter to have lunch at the fancy restaurant galatoire's.
matt's aunt lorainne had booked as a beautiful little room in one of the french quarter's most famous hotels, the royal sonesta, so that we could experience the real honeymoon experience.
it simply was the best day ever!
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