OAXACA
Un viaje muy largo desde Michigan hasta Oaxaca!, seguido del viaje de nuestras familias y todos nuestros amigos para acompañarnos en este gran evento. En todo momento estuvimos trabajando duro, planeando la comida, eligiendo las flores, rentando cojines para las sillas (¡un lujo!), organizando los coches, peinados, hospedaje, decoración del jardín, etc, etc. Practicamos un poco la entrada a la iglesia y el contenido de la ceremonia, especialmente para hacer sentir a la familia Fraizer como en casa, con su participación en la ceremonia. Y como parte de la mezcla de culturas, salimos a cenar la noche anterior para convivir más. La noche pasó muy bien, todos compartieron con nosotros la razón de por la cual eligieron las monedas que nos regalaron como parte de nuestras Arras y festejamos el cumpleaños de Brad. Lo triste fue que saliendo de la cena, todo volvió a la normalidad estresante a unas horas de la boda.
El día llegó y cada uno corrió para ponerse bello, las mujeres indudablemente nos fuimos a peinar, esta vez fue como un maratón...una tras otra. La ceremonia fue a medio día en un día soleado. Toda nuestra familia y amigos cercanos estuvieron con nosotros, fue nuestro regalo. La entrada a la iglesia tomada del brazo de mi Papá para mi fue muy emotiva. La participación de Brad y Heather en la ceremonia fue divertida por las palabras en español tan complejas que el Padre usó, así dándole un toque especial. Pedimos especialmente al padre un momento en que ambos pudiéramos decir nuestras promesas, a pesar de que no es costumbre en las ceremonias mexicanas. Música andina nos recibió saliendo de la iglesia, llena de abrazos y besos de todos nuestros invitados, para después hacer el viaje al medio del campo cerca del Arbol del Tule.
La fiesta fue lo mejor, la comida muy típica mexicana y oaxaqueña, preparada por un chef Poblano. La tarde era bastante ventilada, pero eso no fue motivo para dejar de comer, beber (aunque perdimos la carpa del bar), bailar y divertirnos. Brindamos alrededor de la alberca llena de gerberas, que más tarde se llenaría de velas haciéndola muy romántica. Y toda una tarde-noche mezclada con inglés y español, que nunca fue una barrera para la convivencia. Sin duda nuestros hermanos Raúl y Brad fueron los reyes de la noche, no dejaron de bailar. El ramo y las ligas (aunque la costumbre es solo una!) se los llevaron los hermanos Fraizer, que arrasaron con toda la suerte para las próximas bodas. Para mi fue una gran fortuna bailar con mi abuelito José +. Al caer la noche Derek se llevó una sorpresa con los fuegos artificiales 'Felicidades Diana y Derek'. La fiesta no se acabó sino hasta las 4 de la mañana.....bailando, bebiendo y comiendo. ¡Vivan los novios!
O O O O O O O O
It is difficult to say who had the idea of having the wedding in Oaxaca but from the moment the possibility arose, I was all for it. Over the years and during different trips I had taken to México, this place, Oaxaca, continuously came up conversations. When Diana and I first started dating, I spent two weeks in Cuernavaca studying Spanish with other teachers from Lincoln. After the two weeks, I had another week or two to visit with Diana and her family for our birthdays and explore a bit. Oaxaca was calling me. We celebrated Diana's birthday on the 2nd of July and then I was off. I found a shady hostel to stay in and a man selling tamales out of his trunk that all of the locals seemed to be eating like crazy. A day later, I met Diana in the south on the coast. She took a long weekend off and we spent it in Puerto Angel. Something during the trip made a lasting impression on me. Mainly, it was Diana's beauty and openness to adventure. Also, the state of Oaxaca left a mark that continues to grow. The wedding in Oaxaca represented the completion of a circle that began three years earlier.
Moni and Raúl, Ale and Diego, you are all saints. Few people are as open and giving as you. From the moment Diana and I chose Oaxaca, your lives became monopolized with details of a wedding. Even 8 months pregnant, Moni ran to the airport to pick up my brother Brad hours before we arrived in the city of Oaxaca. Once we got there the race was on.
Mamá Maru had times and meetings set up with everybody. We put in the final order for the plates, silverware, glasses, and other much needed supplies. Running over to the casa rural, we inspected the site where we were going to have the reception. Meeting with chefs and the priest, we wrapped up details and met people that both Moni and Mamá Maru had been working with for the last 2 months. Diana and I, reflecting about last year, still cannot believe that we all pulled off two weddings planned and celebrated within 3 months time. There was a lot of help and participation from family and friends.
By Thursday, most of my family and out of town guests had arrived. Lili and Ana drove down with us from México City. Heather and Matt found there way to the city after several stops and adventures. My parents flew in on the same flight as Adam. Diana's friends began coming into town. Eric and Nestor, who took our photos, drove down with a friend of Mamá Maru. Gerardo and Luis went over to the casa rural to set up music. Everything started to come together.
On Friday, the night before the wedding, both the families went out to an amazing Italian Restaurant. It was a nice calm moment before the storm. Diana's grandfather was present and in good form, we sang happy birthday to Brad, and everybody took a moment to share with Diana and I something special. In a Catholic wedding in México, there is a set of 13 coins "arras" that are presented in the service. Originally, the man presented them to the woman representing that he will support her with all the resources that he has. Diana and I decided to ask the thirteen members of our immediate family that were present to choose a coin that had some significance to them. That night, each person took a moment to explain why the coin they brought had significance to them before giving it to us. We used these 13 coins in the wedding service the following day as a representation of always having resources and our family's support with us.
Saturday at twelve noon, July 30th, 2005, accompanied by our families we walked into the Santo Domingo church and began the ceremony. It was a blur of emotions and excitement. We exchanged vows and presented representations of our love and commitment. In front of our family and friends, we exchanged rings and shared some of our thoughts and commitments. I will not forget this day because it is part of me as are you Diana. I love you.
The rest is a story of celebration with food, spirits, and dance. The feeling is better expressed by the pictures than my words. Enjoy them and thanks again to everyone who made it possible. You know who you are!!!
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