Two years ago, we arrived in Northampton on a chilly winter evening, one of us by train and the other by car. We sat at the table by the window at a tiny Moroccan cafe and shared lentil soup and a lamb tagine as we caught each other up on the past few months of each other’s lives. As we were finishing our meal, we were greeted by (surprise!) Sara and Ben, who had also just gotten into town and were about to enjoy their own cozy dinner. A good sign, for sure.
We spent our pre-wedding evening sitting by the wood stove in our cozy rental cabin, and in the morning, we awoke to find the ground blanketed in freshly fallen snow. When we got to Valley View Farm, Sara and Ben were each getting ready in their own farmhouse, as their family and friends took tender care of them. The wood stove was roaring, irons were hot, the tea kettle was on, and gusts of cold air would rush through the house when new guests would come and go.
That energy followed them throughout their day. They did not see each other before she walked down the aisle, so we all got to witness the beautiful moment when they caught eyes as she entered the church. Coming together for photos after their ceremony, they kept each other warm as they smiled, laughed, and marveled at the fact that they were now a married couple.
The early darkness and freezing temperatures of February were no match for the warmth of their reception, as heartfelt speeches gave way to fiery dance moves and eventually a surprise serenade given to Sara by her cousin, a Colombian pop star.
Winters can feel cold and isolating, but ours that year had a bright flame of a weekend infusing us with some much needed warmth and love. Thank you, Sara & Ben for sharing your light with us.
Comments