Ode to Lesbians

This weekend, my great friends Serene and Allison got married – well as married as two lesbians in Oregon can be.  They rented an island and had an amazing ceremony in the Columbia River Gorge, surrounded by family and several softball teams.

In order to have the ceremony where they wanted it, they recruited friends (softball teams) to help with setup and tear down.  I’ll tell you what, after witnessing the awesome efficiency that comes with a pack of lesbians, I pity any employer that discriminates based on sexual orientation.  Lesbians are one fierce group of logistical experts.

Aside from setting up the ceremony site and reception hall for 150, preparing the brides, and taking the pictures, the real awesomeness came when it was time for tear down.

As soon as the ceremony was over, while the families walked to the receiving line, the softball teams, noticing two of their own stacking chairs, went to work.  In the space of 10 minutes (maybe less) the entire ceremony site was clear.

Photo by Brandi George

Chairs were stacked and stored, flowers were hauled, and all were headed to the reception.

Photo by Brandi George

After hours of cupcakes and dancing, I turned to the table of softball players I was sitting with and said, “lesbians, we have a task.”  Everyone sat up to listen.  “We need to get everyone out for the garter toss, find a ride for Allison and Serene, and clean up the building.”  The 8 women at the table jumped up, put their hands for a quick cheer (“LESBOS!”) and set off to git ‘er done.

In no more than 20 minutes, the garter toss had taken place, the brides had a ride to the hotel, and the reception hall was cleared out and cleaned up – except for the ever-dancing pack of ladies.

Photo by Brandi George

Serene and Allison had a beautiful ceremony.  The love they share is imminently apparent, and deeply touching.  What’s more, the love that their friends and family have for them is astounding.

In Italy, the best phrase that I learned had to do with gelato.  When ordering gelato, you could pick your flavors, or you could ask “che sposano bene” or “what marries well” and let the woman behind the counter hook you up.  The phrase kept going through my mind on Saturday.  It’s a shame they don’t let us marry, because lesbians marry well.

Allison e Serene sposano bene.