A day full of joy!

Nate and Harrison married yesterday late afternoon, in a beautiful, simple, quiet ceremony presided over by Hennepin County judge Jean Burdorf. She did a really nice job of being friendly and direct, all the while noting key elements of marriage (putting them in civic/secular terms) and inviting joy into the process.

About 20 of us from both families, with a few of Nate’s and Harrison’s closest friends, stood on the steps in the center of Minneapolis City Hall (a gorgeous marbled space I’d never been in before) and watched with tears in our eyes as Nate and Harrison spoke of their love for each other and made their promises to each other.

There will be photos galore eventually, as they had a professional photographer there.

Afterwards we went to Nate and Harrison’s backyard for pizza, chicken wings, cupcakes and some champagne. Chad (Harrison’s dad) tried to speak, but broke into tears, so Julie (his mom) continued. Eric spoke eloquently off the cuff as always, and then I shared a John O’Donahue blessing. The weather was gorgeous, people mingled happily, Saffron got the zoomies a couple of times chasing Harvey (Julie’s small French bulldog) around the yard, and for the most part the mosquitos held off.

It was thoroughly lovely.

I think Nate and Harrison have been true partners for a long time now, but it was wonderful to see them affirm that partnership amidst community in the midst of a civic space that fully recognizes their marriage.