About a decade ago, on-line, I came into contact with a delightful young woman. Our living history circles of acquaintance overlapped a bit. I was immediately fond of this girl… she was bright, articulate, clever, hard-working, one of those people who, just knowing they exist in the world, make me smile. This is why:
You’re smiling, too, aren’t you? See? Told you so.
On-line, we formed a friendship. We traded late-night email about her adventures at school, new babies at my house, and mutual sewing projects, research, dreadful tonsils, cooking in too-small kitchens, and singing. As we each passed life milestones, we’d agitate the aether to send along greetings, congratulations, commiseration, and fond regards.
I delighted, long distance, when a particular terribly nice fellow (with splendid whiskers) became a constant feature of her life’s adventures, and when she emailed to let me know they were getting married, I rejoiced from half-way around the world (as they’re spending a year volunteering overseas. These are very cool people.)
Just after Christmas, I got an email… could I give any suggestions for creating a chuppah? I sent off links to a variety of possibilities, all along having one favorite idea sort of blinking in the midst of them, to join three lengths of very fine wool or linen with an insertion stitch by hand. When they decided my blinking idea was the one that struck them as nifty, too, I was very excited. (Okay, so approaching giddiness, if I’m honest. I love being ‘right.’ My Tall, Dark, and Slightly Neanderthal fellow says I just want everyone to be the best me they can be.)
The giddiness increased when there came a gentle question: might I possibly, maybe, hopefully have time to do the finish work, and turn three lengths of wool into one chuppah?
WHEW! I thought she’d never ask, and then I’d have to be all pushy about it, and demand to get to make the thing. I hadn’t wanted to be a friend-zilla, but OH, how I wanted to get to make this one symbol, and stitch in all my fervent prayers and wishes for their marriage! I wouldn’t be able to travel to the wedding, but with the chuppah, I could definitely be there in spirit.
She and her Beloved selected colors with personal significance, had the cashmere scarves shipped right to me, and I spent several contented days joining them by hand, using an insertion stitch that leaves a consistent 3/8″ gap between the panels. Now that they are well and truly nuptialed, the chuppah will become the covering of their bed. That’s just gorgeous, symbolically. Creating a holy space in which to shelter the marriage is very, very nifty.
And that is how a Mormon girl living in the Rockies came to create the marriage chuppah for a Jewish girl living in Israel.
I’m so contented, so happy, so blessed to have a small part in the marriage of two absolutely lovely people.
Mazel tov, K & N!
What a beautiful story! So meaningful to have a chuppah that is not simply borrowed from your wedding venue. Very nice job!
How fun (and what an honor to be asked) to make the chuppah! I liked how it turned out. Yay for weddings – getting married myself next week! π
Sarah! Yay! How wonderful! With your skills, I’ll bet your wedding will be one of the great ones… relaxed, joyful, no freaking out. π
Thanks, Jamie! I really enjoyed working on it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get a chance to do more of this style in the future!
simply amazing. How wonderful it is to share your talents. Fun too!
The chuppah is lovely. I love the rabbi in a kilt!
Liz, it is so lovely. I got a little choked up reading this. Nate and I now use it to cuddle under on the couch in our very chilly apartment. Your thank-you note is on its way from across the sea–please don’t think I forgot!
We got oodles of compliments on the chuppah and we couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful or loving woman to make it for us.
Love,
The Kemphues
Katie… you are loved. π