A Wedding In The Park

August 30, 2008. The groom came riding a white horse. The bride came with parents on either side accompanied by six bride’s maids dressed in beautiful "mekhela-chador". It took place under a sunny, blue California sky in the Shakespeare Garden at the Golden Gate Park. A wonderful fusion of two oldest traditions took place. Circling a sacred fire, taking seven steps (saptapadi) with seven blessings, exchanging garlands, exchanging rings, taking vows and breaking of a glass started a magical journey for a young couple together for better or for worse as long as they shall live. They choked up, tears trickled down as emotions ran high as they took their vows. As the father of the bride, I witnessed something as the happiest man on earth. Let there be sunshine forever in their lives.