Part Two

Hank has always been the one in our family to make sure the connections are frequent and strong. Many, if not most, of our group texts start out from Hank saying, "Good morning! How's everybody today?"
He's the one who wants to know where Thanksgiving is going to be, how Christmas is going to be scheduled, how birthdays will be celebrated. So I was not surprised at all to hear that he'd asked his sisters to make some speeches. He and Rachel decided that it would be the sisters, Tia, and Jacob who spoke, and then Rachel's brother wanted to say some words and he did. 

I know the girls were a little worried about what to say when it came to their brother. He's been such a force in their lives and how do you speak of that in a way that conveys the influence he's had on all of them? 
They figured it out. 
May started.
"I have known Hank all my life and he has known me for most of his."

I believe that's how it went.

And as Lily and Jessie spoke, they too started out with, "I've known Hank for all of my life." 
I honestly cannot remember what each of them said but I know that each of them had at least one story to tell about Hank and him bringing the magic. Dear god, I hope someone filmed those speeches. They were moving and funny and dear and full of love. As one would expect. Gibson cried when his mother spoke. As I said yesterday, Gibson is the one with the biggest feelings, I think.

Tia spoke about how she and Rachel met in the third grade and how close they've been all these years. She talked about her memory of when Rachel told her that yes, she was falling in love with Hank. I'm not sure I've ever met anyone with such sweet, pure energy as Tia and she and Rachel are so lucky to have had and still have each other in their lives. 

Jacob talked about meeting Hank something like twenty-one years ago. He said he was in a group of punk kids who were doing punk things and they had a friend who was in a way, their leader. He was a big guy and what he said was not to be taken lightly and one night he told the other guys, "Listen. I've made a friend who's a trans guy and I want y'all to be nice to him." 
And then Hank joined them for something and he walked into this room where they were all hanging out and he said, "Hey Y'all!" and the way Jacob said it sounded EXACTLY like Hank and we all roared. He also talked about how Hank checks in on him at least once a day. Jacob has been through some shit and Hank has been there for him every step of the way. He said that if doesn't answer the text for three days, Hank doesn't text him, he texts his MAMA! 

And Rachel's brother. He so desperately wanted to say something about Rachel and it was so hard for him. By the end of him saying what he wanted to say, Rachel and two of their cousins were on the stage holding him tightly. It was incredibly emotional. The entire room was silent as he spoke, giving him all of our attention and all of our love for his effort. There could not have been a better crowd of people supporting him. It was beautiful.

So much love. All over the place. And as Anna said, I think that's exactly what we all needed. I believe that everyone there had decided not to speak of the election and yet, we all did. It's like we had to. If there is one group more in danger than immigrants in this country right now, it is our queer community. Our children, our parents, our partners, our coworkers, our nieces and nephews and grandchildren and brothers and sisters were used as fear fodder for the evil one and now the election is over, exact outcomes are unknown. 
The resemblances between Trump and Hitler are undeniable. Find groups to hate and promote that hate to unite the citizenry and take control. 
And so of course, a large group of people who are those targets and their advocates and loved ones coming together, even in celebration and love, cannot help but be uncertain about the future, to say the least. It was almost like we all had to check in with each other to ask, "Are you okay? Can you believe this?"

But for one day, there were more immediate things to think about and that was the celebration of Hank and Rachel, and the fact that for now at least, the rights of people to marry the person they love is protected. And I love the fact that children were there to witness an event that probably was of no more consequence than any wedding would be to them. Of course these children were raised to know that love is love and so to see same-sex couples dancing together, holding hands, is just the daily for them. 

Phew. I didn't mean to go there but just as with the conversations at the wedding when any two people got together, it cannot be avoided. 

And now- some more pictures! 

Magnolia getting the stage ready before the DJ got there. 

Lily and Lauren, her love.

Our man, Mark, in his official parking attendant vest. Billy had one too. 

Hank's other dad (my ex), Juancho/John, the officiant, and his wife, our beautiful Melissa.

Speaking of Billy. How do like that award-winning beard? 
No. Really. That beard is winning awards in beard contests. And Billy always announces that he, the man with this beard, is a proud trans dad. When I saw Billy come into the room before the ceremony, I hugged him so hard and he hugged me right back. Damn, but there were some world-class huggers at that event. 

Ms. May, cutting wedding cake. The cakes are beautiful, but not as beautiful as May. 

I should have gotten so many more pictures. There was a professional photographer and she was shooting all day and night so there will be more. But I really wish I'd gotten pictures of the groaning cookie table and the grits and hash brown bar. What genius to have southern breakfast foods at a wedding reception! 
Can you say biscuits and sausage gravy? 
Yes, please. 

And there were plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. 

Honestly, it was one of the absolutely most best-planned and executed weddings I've ever been to and although I should not say this- Hank and Rachel are obviously far better at wedding planning than I had any idea they'd be. 

Those two crazy newlyweds just texted that they made it to New Orleans and their little Air B&B love nest is very cute. And this card was waiting for them. 

Yes. I cried a little when I read that.

The flowers that I brought home are still so very lovely. 

They are the tangible memory of a dream-like day. 

And here's another short little video. 

I've always said that dancing is my favorite form of prayer and this dancing is a prayer of celebration and for a lifetime of love and joy and strength and a hell of a lot of fun for Hank and Rachel. 

Love...Ms. Moon