It is the season of farewells, both for us and for many of our lab mates. On Friday we said goodbye to two of Adrian’s lab mates, one of whom is following the lab to New York, and the other who is moving to industry here in Seattle. A bbq at the beach was organised to mark the event. How I mocked this idea – an outside event in Seattle in September? A disaster, surely. However, on Friday afternoon, the clouds peeled back to reveal a glorious day at Golden Gardens.

Now, the sand was grey rather than golden, and the water was glacial, but there was a super-cute puppy called Sara that entertained me throughout the evening. She is a delightful miniature beagle, and I took her for lots of walks up and down the board-walk. I was very surprised that this meant that all sorts of people stopped to talk to me, and made me consider that a Belgian puppy might be a great people-meeting tool.

Adrian spent the afternoon chasing the two-year-old around, following him down slides, across beaches, flying him across the water, and burying him in sand. He is so great with children – full of enthusiasm and ready to be silly and energetic and fun. I am much more reserved and self-conscious – afraid that I will break the kid, or at least do something of which that the parents won’t approve.

As the sun set beneath the mountains, we gathered around the fire-pit to warm ourselves and enjoy another beautiful Seattle day. It was a great party, filled with so many of the wonderful friends that we have found here over the past two years. I am glad that we had one more evening all together, where we could relax, watch the ferries go past, the flames flicker on the logs, and hear the laughter of good people on the beach.

All photos by Liannabanana.

Celebrant:
Lydia and Adrian have brought us amidst the beauty of these mountains to celebrate the peace and joy that they have found together. Let us gather our thoughts and good wishes as we witness and share in their formal joining in the legal state of matrimony. The state of matrimony has matured as our society has matured. From an ancient tradition, marriage has developed into an expression of joy between any two people sharing love, respect and understanding. Lydia and Adrian have found true happiness in each other, and with joy they have entered a life-long companionship and will comfort and support each other with gentleness and strength. In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. Today Lydia and Adrian proclaim their love to the world.

I call upon you both in the presence of these witnesses, to declare the following:

Lydia:
I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Lydia [...] may not be joined in matrimony to Adrian [...].

Adrian:
I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Adrian [...] may not be joined in matrimony to Lydia [...].

Celebrant:
As no impediment was declared, I ask you Adrian;

Do you give to Lydia the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Do you share equally with her the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by yourself, and do you respect the dignity of her person? Do you offer yourself wholly and joyfully, and do you choose Lydia as the person with whom you will share your life?

Adrian:
I do

Celebrant:
Do you, Lydia, give to Adrian the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Do you share equally with him the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by yourself, and do you respect the dignity of his person? Do you offer yourself wholly and joyfully, and do you choose Lydia as the person with whom you will share your life?

Lydia:
I do

Celebrant:
Please turn to face each other and join your hands and repeat after me:

Adrian:
I call upon those persons present to witness that I Adrian [...] take you Lydia [...] to be my lawful wedded wife.
To grow with you and learn with you.
To cherish you for who you are.
To be a loving friend and equal partner in marriage.
To laugh with you and live life to the fullest with you.
You are my best friend, and you bring out the best in me.
You have brought me my greatest happiness.I love you dearly, completely and utterly.

Lydia:
I call upon those persons present to witness that I Lydia [...] take you Adrian [...] to be my lawful wedded husband.
To share hopes, thoughts and dreams
To communicate fully and fearlessly
You are an amazing and extraordinary person
You have my deepest friendship, respect, trust, confidence and love.
I give you my hand and my heart
as a sanctuary of warmth and peace
I ask you to share this world with me.

Celebrant:
May I have the rings please? Love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. Let your rings be regarded as a symbol of the love you expressed today.

Adrian, Take Lydia’s ring and place it on the ring finger of her left hand.

Adrian:
Today I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you.

Celebrant:
Lydia, take Adrian’s ring and place it on the ring finger of his right hand.

Lydia:
Today I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you.

Celebrant:
Lydia and Adrian having shared your vows and exchanged these rings, now by the authority vested in me by the province of Alberta, I pronounce you husband and wife.