Wiggling before God, secure in his arms.

These little private ceremonies are getting to me.  I got emotional at this one again, although I’m not sure my Grooms understood why.

They sent a quick e-mail, and just as I was sitting at the keyboard trying to reply, the phone rang.  It was one of the Grooms, so I quickly got their story.  They had gone to Beverly Hills to pick up their License, but they had two small children in tow, and when they saw the line they would have to wait in for the civil ceremony, they knew it wouldn’t work with the children, ages 3 months and 2-1/2 years.

Since one of them was raised Lutheran, they contacted me. We arranged for a brief ceremony this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. 

Fortunately, they rounded up two Witnesses who could make it at that hour, and the five of us came down the aisle unceremoniously and stood before the Altar.  As it happens with a deeply significant moment, photographs must be taken, so the Witnesses were busy fussing with digital cameras.

The children were in their arms the whole time.  The baby, of course, was quite content to be held by her dad.  Even though she seemed quite oblivious to the importance of the marriage ceremony going on, she was certainly aware of the love that held her securely and surrounded her on all sides.  But Mr. Wiggles never held still for a moment, struggling up and down, in and out of his other dad’s arms, and then on his shoulders, and over his back.

By the time we came to that final kiss, he was literally upside down, being firmly held by one ankle, dangling behind his dads, as they found a way to quickly smooch.

Thank God for the wonderful Witness who snapped that picture.  If it weren’t for confidentiality, I would post it here, because it has all the family values anybody could want put together in one amazing moment.

God bless you, gentlemen.  The children’s futures are secure in your arms, and I am sure that God above noticed that, too.

— Pastor Dan Hooper, Los Angeles

This entry was posted on October 22, 2008 at 20:50 and is filed under Lesbian/Gay Marriage, LGBT Christian, LGBT Rights, Public Affairs, Ministry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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