“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.”
- Shakespeare / R&J

The magic of this evening sits comfortably in my heart, a bit like how I imagine sitting outside a Hobbit Hole and discussing adventures. The laughter echoes in my ears, and I remember the deep, contented sigh and huge smile on my face as I got back into my car after we said goodbye. Emily, Annie and their tiny group of family and friends held one of those weddings I wish I could live again and again, soaking in every second in slow motion.

They left Crocs and Birkenstocks at the beach entrance. Bouquets were forgotten in the car, retrieved by brothers who looked like dressed-up Olympiads as they ran triumphantly back to save the day. Rings snuggled with starfish. An old Shakespeare volume tucked around the vows. An extra-low tide left a landscape for us that looked almost Icelandic, with dark rocks and a shining sea. Water flew under bare feet, dresses flowing, hair whirling. The sunset faded in and out, shifting colors and moods, leaving us with a quiet, blue dusk. While the pandemic definitely made its presence known with fewer hugs and a lot more space, that same space still felt filled with love and promise.

Cheers to this wonderful, unforgettable group of humans and an evening that will be tucked cozily in my memory for a very, very long time.