Renewlyweds

On August 19, we became Renewlyweds, then pedalled away together. The ceremony happened down from the funicular because that spot gathers a lot of what we stand for: the river valley, rail tracks, public infra that lets people get down the bank, Edmonton. We brought wonderful musicians (Jenesia, Luke Ehrenholz) to sing their Funicular Song live because that little piece of poetry hides a big challenge: if the ride is only 37 seconds, how will you spend your short time? (The young people still have the answer.) We rode our bikes because it would have been harder to see Shelagh's dress from a inside a car. I make no apologies for riding next to beauty for the last 29 years. :) Carole Kellough was our amazing marriage commissioner.

Hello, everyone!

We are gathered here today on treaty land to witness the formal, or, informal, I suppose, rejoining of Shelagh and Glenn Kubish in the legal state of matrimony. You are to be remarried according to the orders, customs, and the authority granted by the government government of the Province of Alberta.

With Carole 

My name is Carole Kellough. I am an official marriage commissioner in the province of Alberta. I'm also a friend of Shelagh and Glenn. That's why I'm here.

You are all here because you mean a lot to these two. Either you were here in the beginning, or you became friends and loved ones along the way. You are here because you've supported Shelagh and Glenn. And that's what it takes to keep a marriage going for 29 years—and counting!

It's especially good to see Alex and Michael here this time.

My grandmother worked at the Mac

We are here on the lookout, in the river valley, by the funicular, down from the Mac, across from ATB Place because Edmonton has been home for this couple and their family.

One very important person not here is Shelagh's mom. Phyllis, who is 99 years old, is at home in downtown Edmonton. She's at home today, and she's on Facebook. So, if you take pics today, search for Phyllis on Facebook and make her feel part of things.

Fab Phyll with fam

Okay. Marriage is not just a ceremony here today. It is a commitment for life,
for all the life that's left. Therefore, it is not to be entered into thoughtlessly or
irresponsibly. Especially the second time around!

Marriage means caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your
marriage partner as about your own well-being. And more.

Marriage also means working together to create and sustain a home in which
life flourishes. It also means riding your bicycles together in all kinds of weather.

With this understanding, Shelagh and Glenn wish to be rejoined in marriage.

THEREFORE:

If any persons can show just and sufficient reason why these two persons may
not be rejoined in matrimony, let them now declare those reasons...and then
please leave!

Tim Spelliscy, all good with you, sir?

[Tim motions double thumbs up and nods once from the top of the hill. The ceremony continues.]

As no impediment was declared or admitted, I require you to give answers to
these questions:

Do you, Glenn, promise to give Shelagh the love of your person, the comfort of
your companionship, the patience of your understanding, and a little more help
with the dishes?

["Skip the dishes!" is heard from crowd.]

Will you share with her equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or
enjoyed by yourself; and to respect the dignity of her own personal rights?

Glenn: I do.

Do you, Shelagh, promise to give Glenn the love of your person, the comfort of
your companionship and the patience of your understanding?  Will you share
with him equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by
yourself; and to respect the dignity of his own personal rights?

Shelagh: I do.

THE VOWS

Now would Glenn and Shelagh please face each other, join hands, and exchange
your vows, which you have either written by yourself, that’s Shelagh, or stolen
from someone else, the poet Seamus Heaney, that’s Glenn.

Shelagh: 29 years ago it was easy for me to make my vows of marriage to you. Partly because I didn't entirely know what I was signing up for! Now that I do know what a life by your side means, it is only easer to reaffirm that commitment.

In the past years you have helped me in so many ways. You've made me more confident, a better parent, more open to adventure, and less rigid about deadlines and schedules (that's still a work in progress...). Most of all you have brought so much fun into my life and taught me it is important event to schedule time for fun! Crazy!

I am happy to state again that I will be your wife, in sickness and in health, in good knees and bad, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live. Or to put it even more simply, to you I say Yes, I will yes.

Glenn:

Masons, when the start upon a building

Are careful to test out the scaffolding.

Make sure that planks won't slip at busy points

Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints.

And yet all this comes down when the job's done

Showing off walls of sure and solid stone.

So, if, my dear, there sometimes seem to be

Old bridges breaking between you and me

Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall

Confident that we have built our wall.

[Shelagh's brother-in-law Udo later asks if use of the poem was cleared by
the Scaffolders Union.]

THE RING EXCHANGE

We are at the point in the ceremony where the rings are exchanged.

Glenn, would you like to exchange your ring?

Glenn: No way! I'm keeping this ring!!

Shelagh, would you like to exchange your ring with anyone?

Shelagh: No way!

Okay, there will be no ring exchange today. That’s great!

THE DECLARATION

Shelagh and Glenn, you have consented in marriage, and have declared your
solemn intention in this beautiful company, before these witnesses, and in my
presence. You have chosen not to exchange your rings as the pledge of your
love to each other; you have joined your hands to accept one another.

Now upon the authority vested in me by the Province of Alberta, I pronounce you,
again, husband and wife.

You may seal your commitment with a kiss.

As you re-begin your marriage, let your home be a haven of peace and faith
in the midst of a busy and changing world. Let your relationship be one of
complete truth, love and understanding between you both.

May you enjoy a long life, may you realize your hopes, feel content as you live
day by day, and keep your promises to each other.

We then listened to Jenesia (husband and wife) and Luke sing us up the hill.