happy handfasting!

two of the loveliest people i have the honor of knowing, my cousin and her betrothed, are tying the knot tomorrow on the island my mother's family calls home: newfoundland.

i am not on that island right now.  but i am sort of on an island.  my kitchen island.  it's more of a peninsula really, because one part is attached to the wall.  it's hot in here and feels rather tropical, and i'm drinking a frosty beverage.  billy is out for the night at a ball game and the baby is asleep.  so i kind of feel like i'm on vacation.  just not the right vacation.  i wish i was in newfoundland.

newfoundland is kind of a magical place.  i mean, coming from an outsider.  i've only been there once, even though it's where half of my blood began.  it has this way of pulling on you, newfoundland does.  it seems so ancient and forlorn, but steadfast and beautiful.  the little fisherman villages and coves are at once sad and hopeful.  vulnerable and strong.   it's the kind of place that makes your breath catch heavy in your throat.  the kind of place you expect you might find fairies.  which is funny, because every time anyone meets my cousin for the first time that's always what they say to me.  she looks like a fairy!  i always respond by saying that that's because she kind of is one.

kayla and kevin don't live in newfoundland anymore, and i know it wasn't the easiest for them to get there even if it was for their wedding.  but it certainly is the right place.  it's just them.  they are two of the most fascinating people i know.  probably because they are different than most people i know.  as long as i have known kayla- her whole life- she has always marched to the beat of her own drum.  she was born gorgeous, defiant, wonderful, and headstrong, and has remained that way.  i obviously haven't known kevin his whole life, but i would describe him very much the same.  except i would take out gorgeous and replace it with "hairy".  other than that, everything else still works.  although their personal beliefs are slightly different from mine, and very different from most, i find that they live what they believe 100%.  they are the most genuine people i know.  i admire them and respect them to the utmost.

there is nothing that i want more than to be in attendance at the pagan handfasting of my dear cousin and her hairy beloved tomorrow.  i imagine that if i was there i would be dancing with bare feet to iron and wine while drinking entirely too much of it.  i'm sorry that i'm missing one of the most special of days, but i hope these words find you both and in them my presence will be felt.  kayla and kevin, you have lived through nightmares together and come out of them holding hands.  your love is just like newfoundland.  i know you'll weather all the storms.