A Very Human Halloween Wedding

Halloween was a little different this year. Instead of costumes, we put on suits. We were making the ultimate commitment: marriage. It was a classic San Diego morning. Golden sun slipped through the blinds as our three cats, Loki, Athena, and Sapphie, performed their usual wake-up routine, loudly reminding us it was breakfast time.

I fed everyone after my shower. Loki inhaled his food first and immediately tried to steal from his sisters (every day with this guy). Sapphie eats like a tiny food critic, slowly, so I have to stand guard. After what felt like forever and a ton of Loki blocking, Sapphie finally finishes and heads off to the window for her morning grooming. I have served my purpose, and she no longer needs to butter me up with headbutts or purrs.

It's now 7:00 AM. Appointment is at 8:00 AM. Time to move! We suited up. I told myself, "Chase, don't forget the rings; they are by the door." I tied Kyle's tie and we put our shoes on to head out the door. We get in the car, it says 7:35. Ahh, plenty of time, as we start our drive downtown.

"Babe, I forgot the documents," Kyle says as we turn off our street. "No worries, we are still close," I say as I make a U-turn heading back home. He sprints inside, grabs everything, and we are back on the road by 7:40. Cutting it close, but fine.

As soon as we get on the freeway, it hits me like a freight train. "SHHHIT!"

"What?!"

"I forgot the rings."

The car goes silent. "Are you kidding me?" It wasn't an angry question but rather a stunned one. We are already on the freeway, and turning back at this point would make us very late. I could feel Kyle's stare. Great way to start a marriage, Chase. Deep breaths. Keep driving.

At the County Administration Building, our parents met us. We kept it simple. Just immediate family. I confessed to the whole ring fiasco, and thankfully, Kyle's dad and brother offered theirs for the ceremony. Crisis semi-averted.

The ceremony was beautiful, right on the San Diego Bay, with blue sky and perfect weather. The justice of the peace offered standard vows or Halloween-themed vows. Obviously, we chose Halloween. It was sweet and somewhat spooky, and before we knew it, she pronounced us husbands and we kissed.

We took photos, grabbed some coffee, and waited for the certificate. After we met everyone at Hob Nob, we celebrated with a brunch. When we got home, the cats greeted us with their usual indifference. And there, sitting on the counter, were the rings exactly where I left them.

I laughed. The two little symbols of love patiently waited on the counter while we went and made it official. That's when it hit me. The rings are just props; our love, along with our ability to laugh and roll with it, is what truly matters.

So when people ask how our wedding went, I tell them it was perfect. Not because everything went right, but because the one thing that went wrong made it unforgettable. It was honest, funny, romantic, and full of love. That is how I want our marriage to be.