Our "Handfasting"

Bradley's told me about this great Celtic/Pagan rite, handfasting. Basically (and I'm really paraphrasing here), it's when a couple agrees to live as husband and wife for a year, and then after that year, decide whether to make the marriage "permanent" or to go their separate ways.

So... Bradley and I are handfasted. We, um, took it one teensy step further, and we went to Knox County City Hall today, and, um, sorta got married.

We kept this very quiet and small and practical. It was just me and Bradley, Patrick, and my new in-laws Paula and John. We went to the courthouse, got our marriage license, and got married by a Justice of the Peace. I'm married! Can you believe it??

So, as for our "handfasting"... next year in October, Bradley and I are going to have another wedding with all of our friends and family invited. We'll do it up right and it'll be a big party. I can't wait! So, be ready to come and celebrate with us!

Meanwhile, here are photos from the marriage. There's a video that Paula and John took, but we need to edit it down in size. Once that's done, I'll post it here.

Here's the courthouse:

 

Here's Paula giving me a hug of welcome at the courthouse.

Here's me and my groom:

Here we are with the officiant, Mr. Whittington. He had some lovely things to say and was quite charming. 

Here's Paula and Patrick, posing during the ceremony:

And now back to our regularly scheduled program... We're married!

Photos with our family:

Here's that hand pose you always see in wedding albums. Bradley's ring has Roman numerals up to 12 on it, couting down until our "real" wedding in October 2008, when we'll exchange these rings for our real ones.

And here we are, Mr. and Mrs., on the steps of the old courthouse.

Hooray!

 

Comments

[DIZZY]

Oh you silly kids! Cheers to the newly Handfested couple. Congratulations and love to you both! XOXOXO! J9 and Michael too!

[Joan]

DEAR MRS. AMY,

WELL, DOESN'T THAT BEAT ALL!!! YOU SLY FOX - YOU HAD ME ON THE PHONE AND DIDN'T LET SLIP THE SECRET AT ALL. DOM AND I ARE SOOOO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AND BRADLEY - YOU DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS THIS CRAZY WORLD HAS TO OFFER.

LOVE AND KISSES,

JOAN AND DOM

[Becca]

CONGRATS!!!!! I'm so happy for the two of you!

[Denise]

I am very happy for you guys. You deserve it both of you.

Love to both
Denise

[lizriz]

A million congratulations and blessings to both of you and your families. :)

[Uncle Tommy]

Amy Did you ever imagine you would get married in Tennessee one day. sorta
Congratulations..
May this be one big step in a long lasting relationship.

[Cynthia]

Congratulations!

[Danielle]

Way to go, Amy and Bradley! I'm so happy for you both!! Stephanie and I send our heartfelt congratulations!! :)

[Chris]

All the pomp of Vegas without the Vegas! Absolutely brilliant!!! I wish you both a lifetime of love. Fall in Tennessee sounds gorgeous.

Oh, and happy belated birthday....you know what that means?

[Timmy B.]

Congratulations! This is wonderful news. I'm very happy for you. Patty told me you had big news on your blog today, and I screamed when I read it. Very, very cool.

Much happiness to your entire family!

Love,

Timpaka

[Tori]

Holy S%^%! I mean... Congrates!!!

..I mean.. HOLY @#$%^R$# S*&%!

LOL Seriously though...

HOLY S%^%!

Next up..BABY TRAIN!!!!

[Lurlene]

Oh MYLANTA! Miss AmyLou is a married lady! This is an incredible turn-of-events for your thrilling love adventure!

Congrats Sugga!

LL