By: Michelle Carr
Twelve years ago a man and a woman were married. At the reception, like every reception, the DJ called for all the single ladies to form a group and prepare to catch the bouquet. There was one lady who was hesitant to join in. But with some urging from her friends, she finally fell in with the rest of the pack. Now if any of you have ever witnessed a bridal bouquet toss, you know that they can get rather brutal. And increasingly such as the number of single ladies in the group is greater. This group was pretty large and there were many very flower hungry girls. The bride anxiously turned her back to the girls and grasped the specially made bouquet tightly in her hands. After a short delay, she took a deep breath and tossed the bouquet hard over the back of her head. Without pause, she eagerly spun to see who the lucky recipient would be. Turns out it was the lady who at first hadn’t wanted to join in. This quiet and dear friend approached the bride with a very troubled expression on her face.
“Here take them back and redo it.” She tried to hand the captured bouquet back. Now it was the bride’s turn to look disturbed.
“Why would I do that? You caught them, they are yours.” The bride replied feeling very confused that her friend would even try to return them when all the other girls would’ve ran happily away with their prize.
“Because …” The friend explained. “They are meant to signify the next person to get married… And I will never be able to get married. So it isn’t fair that I caught the bouquet.” The friend told her softly without trying to draw too much attention to herself and looked slightly uncomfortable. Seeing her friend so bothered, upset the bride. She understood exactly what she was trying to say. Her heart hurt at the thought that anyone would be denied the happiness that today had brought her, simply because of who they loved. Being the stubborn person she is, she was determined that she wasn’t going to redo anything. So she smiled at her friend instead.
“No, you keep them. You are a single lady and you caught them fair and square. Just because you aren’t allowed to marry now doesn’t mean that it will always be that way.” She held her hands away showing that she wouldn’t dare take them back. “You keep the flowers, I insist, because one day the world will change. And when it does you will have them waiting.”
“I don’t know about that.” The friend still seemed unsure. “Are you sure you don’t want to redo it?”
“I’m sure. You keep them. You might be surprised one day.” The bride broadly smiled at her friend. She hoped with all of her heart that she would be right. That they would both live to see their world change in this way. The friend finally smiled and agreed to keep the flowers. As the years passed by, the bride wondered if her friend had held onto the cloth bouquet that symbolized so much. A couple of years ago she received a message with a picture of the flowers. Her friend let her know that she did indeed still have them. She had kept them in a vase all this time.
Today, June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5- to - 4 vote that the Constitution guarantees the right to same- sex marriage. This now makes same sex marriage legal in all states. Upon hearing this news, this wife’s thoughts immediately drifted back to that day so long ago. To that moment when I so confidently told my friend this day would come. I wished immediately that I had her number still so I could call her and tell her “See it happened!!! It’s here! The world took it’s time, but it is changing. You can have that day as well now.” I am happier than I can fully express at this change that this day has brought. No longer will same sex couples be denied the ability to express their love for each other through marriage. No longer will they have to fight for the legitimacy of their relationship. In every state, they are now granted these rights and it is a truly beautiful thing that should’ve happened long before now.
I know that there are many out there who don’t agree with this ruling and will try to fight it. I know some will have negative comments to say and will do what they can to make this change difficult. But the truth remains that change is in the air. The light is growing and it won’t be stopped or put out. You can’t deny or stop love for it is the most powerful thing in this world. Today folks LOVE WON!!!!!! And to my dear friend, I apologize that I couldn’t call you. You are in my thoughts none the less, and I want you to know that I’m so very happy that you kept those flowers.
