Lanell's Ring

at Pasquel's for breakfast...

Ojo Caliente

Bandanas in Santa Fe

Bill's Christmas Morning Game - Find the most creative use of a bandana!

Christmas '05 in Santa Fe - Lanell's Version

So, we spent Christmas in Santa Fe with the Anderson's. It was a FABULOUS time - hard not to in such a magical place at Christmas. The pinyon was amazing. It snowed lightly one morning, but mostly it was unusually warm. We shopped ourselves silly. I think Lucy inspected every last piece of silver jewelry in all of Santa Fe. Highlights of the trip were (not necessarily in this order):

* dinner at The Compound - my first oxtail! (in the form of ravioli)

* after-dinner conversations with Bill & Lou in their room, next to the pinyon fire with Buddy and Georgia supervising.

* brunch at La Fonda on Christmas Day - it was hard for me to decide which "seconds" to have first, more succulent turkey breast with gravy or chocolate dessert. I ultimately decided to have both.

* Buying our wedding rings at the Charlotte Store on the square.

* Sunset at Ojo Caliente! three words - MINERAL HOT SPRINGS! Must go back there. Lucy and I soaked our tired, dry bodies in yummy mineral springs for an hour, by a pinyon fire, with a red cliff backdrop. We said goodbye to the sun and hello to the stars. We counted them, and there's a LOT!

* Interviewing Bill on his childhood memories. We audiotaped our conversation which lasted about 2.5 hours and I hurriedly scribbled notes. It's my project to gather this all together and share it with the family. I plan to interview everyone. ;)

* Santa found us in Santa Fe - or at least, he found Lucy's stocking. On Christmas morning, Lucy awoke to a handmade stocking (by Lanell) filled with tons of goodies - lotions, lipsticks, mini sharpies in all the necessary colors, gum, healthy bars, all the necessities...

* Bill's game with bandanas - On Christmas morning, Bill gave each of us an envelope with our names on it. In our envelope was a brand new, crisp bandana. The person who had the most creative use of wearing theirs got a prize. When he said "GO!" there was mayhem. Imagine all of us hurrying to put on our bandanas in a creative way. Lucy made hers into an apron. I made mine into a swaddle wrap (I swaddled my scarf-baby into the bandana) and stuffed it under my sweater. Others used their bandanas as a loin cloth, a head wrap, a bracelet, a santa hat, etc. The prizes were more bandanas! It was so much fun. We made a rule that you had to wear your creation to our fancy brunch at La Fonda. I think Ashley was the only one who followed that rule.

It was such a memorable trip and we are so, so, so thankful for a wonderful family! Thank you Bill and Lou!

Lanell's Vows

One evening in July 2005, I couldn't sleep. So I got up and wrote a promise to Lucy. After I wrote it, I knew these would be my vows to her when we married. The first draft was the final draft. I hand wrote them on fine paper and sealed them in an envelope with a special calligraphy sticker that I've had for probably 15 years, just waiting for the perfect letter to affix it to. With tears in my eyes, I read...


My Love,

How could I have ever known you'd be around the corner? What sweet, sweet love we share.

Lucy, you're my companion and friend. I promise today and always to be whole to you - to bring my whole self into whatever we set out to do together.

I promise to be courteous and to offer my genuine lovingkindness.

When we are challenged, I promise to hold your hand and walk even closer by your side. I promise you openness and honesty, absolutely.

I promise to always care for myself so that I may be true to you.

I promise to always help you reach your fullest potential.

I promise you all the fun and dynamic joy I can share and create with you.

I promise to be generous and kind.

I promise to greet each day with a beginner's mind - eager for discovery, yet humble enough to accept what is - in the present moment.

I promise all this to you and so much more- my sweet Lucy - today, November 5, 2005 with our friends and family bearing witness to my devotion.

Love, Lanell

Lucy's Vows

Background: Two years ago, Lanell asks Lucy, "What are you doing the rest of your life?" On November 5, 2005, Lucy gave her an answer:

"Suppose love never came. I would be alright. If I would have spent the rest of my years waking to someone else or the cold nose of the dog, I would be okay. If the night came and went without a spoken word I would still wake in the morning and face the day.
I would still be curious, I would still seek delight in the world around me.

But love has come to me. Your love. And that’s all it took.

All of these years and I never really knew what it would feel like.

Now I do. And I will. I will accept this love and take you, my sweet Lanell into my life, to care for, in loving kindness with laughter and tears, at our weakest and our heartiest, I promise to love you for ever more. So in response to your question about what am I doing the rest of my life? I am happily spending it all with you."

G-Ma's Hankie...

Ceremony Altar

The Invitation

Isn't she lovely! At the end of the ceremony, Jay announced us as the stars of the upcoming film, L is for Love. Then Stevie Wonder's song, Isn't She Lovely, a surprise from Lanell, serenaded all of us as we hugged and kissed our friends and family. We were ecstatic!
Photo courtesy of Margo Sawyer

We stand together at the very beginning of the ceremony as Jay prepares to light the incense.
Photo courtesy of Margo Sawyer

Here we are finally at the altar! My Mom and Dad are in the foreground and Lanell's Dad can be seen at the far right. The blanket we're standing on is a wedding blanket from Portugal. I bought the blanket in 1985 with the hope of someday using it for my wedding.
Photo courtesy of Margo Sawyer

The beginning.
Photo courtesy of Margo Sawyer

November 5, 2005

At about 4:20 in the afternoon on Saturday, November 5th, Lanell and I walked down the aisle together to the sound of many church bells ringing ( a recording I found on a Jane Siberry album ). We exchanged vows and were blessed by the words of Jay Billig, Gary Coultas, Marcela Billig and Gloria Martinez. Check back soon to read parts of the presentation and ceremony.