I’m not sure I’ll get much of a chance to write this weekend with guests in our apartment and all the planned wedding activities.  Daughter #2 gets married tomorrow night in Powell’s Rare Book Room.  For those of you not aware, Powell’s is a Portland icon and the largest independent bookstore in the world. Both my wife’s oldest and her husband-to-be are bookworms, so they planned their vows to be in this unique setting, surrounded by some of their favorite things. The “girls” are currently getting their nails done, and this gives me some private time to write. 

The weekend is packed with private dinners, wedding party receptions, brunch get-togethers, and a karaoke after-party for the night owls. Only 14 people can fit inside the special room, filled with rare publications in glass cases. One is valued at over $350,000 with several others valued at over $25,000. There are also a few bargains at $14,000. I thought the appropriate gift was a leather-bound book of blank pages, custom-made with antique gold lettering commemorating the ceremony. They can hopefully fill in the pages with their own story throughout the years, and make it a valuable personal treasure. I wrote this poem to get them started: 

M&M

You’ll write the book,
On married life.
On what it’s like,
As husband & wife.

A bunch of blank pages.
With a leather cover.
A new life together,
You’ll soon discover.

It’s custom made,
For just you two.
An antique look,
To log what’s new.

Your names and date,
Stamped in Gold.
Where your love story,
Can be told.

There are no lines,
Life’s rule in place.
You can write in pencil,
But can never erase.

You’ll say your vows,
Surrounded by books.
The rarest of which,
Are In glass nooks.

Words are special,
To both of you.
Especially when,
You say “I Do!”

I’ll start you off,
With words of mine.
Then you can add,
Line after line.

Wedding wishes,
From each guest?
Then you and Mitch,
Can write the rest.

Goals and wishes,
Your Bucket List?
Special memories,
You get the gist.

Maybe some pictures?
Mom’s recipes?
Used Ticket Stubs?
And stories please.

As time goes on,
And pages few.
You can always ask,
For Volume Two

To M&M,
This special day.
Let no obstacle,
Get in Love’s Way.

Copyright 2019 johnstonwrites.com