I sighed and asked if it was a sin to be nostalgic. I can't remember if anyone answered me, I don't think it was a question I meant to be answered. We composite ourselves, connected but different. Someone says it this weekend, a few someones; it's commonplace to hear when we are all together: "I've never met friends like this before." I haven't either.



When I am far away, here in New York, I wish for friends like these again. I shut my eyes, click my heels, hope that what feels like home will be here at home, but it hasn't happened quite yet. But people keep saying, and I am beginning to believe them and be okay with it, that these are the sort you have for life, not the sort you replace with every new piece of realty.



Being far away from one another, representing eight states and more than enough mileage, we mark these weekends like sacred dates. Weddings have been the Hurrahs that bring us together this year, but we are at the end of the family weddings and so now we must branch off from here. Which makes me sort of sad. These four couples have married one another, but each of them belonged to us.


We have finished Makeshift Family Intermarrying, and those of us left move on to different pastures. We can always be friends, but friends don't always have to marry one another. Until now, all of the groomsmen and bridesmaids have been best friends with one another and the covenantal couple. This isn't real life, I know. But it's my life.


So many times this weekend the family of the bride and the groom say to us: "you know her/him better than I'll ever know them." And every time I tried to feel badly, like by being thrown together in a southern college town forced us to steal family from family.

But I don't feel badly, really, I don't. I feel thankful. I feel tearful. I feel grateful. I feel deeply. I feel lonely. I feel covered. I feel comforted. I feel like family. And it is good.


Shameless plugs for the photographers:
Myk and Julie: Sara Kristin Photography
Tony and Laura: Sara Kristin Photography
Steve and Sara: Me. Just me.
Amos and Cara: Charlotte McPherson Photography