Author's Notes

I actually started working on this poem soon after Kodi and I read each other our wedding letters at the beginning of May. We had planned not to spend our last night together, and I knew it was going to be hard for us. That's why this poem was so very important to me. The words had to be perfect because they would be my last words to Kodi, before seeing her the next day for the first time during the ceremony.

But the whole time I worked on the poem, my main focus was on making it easier for Kodi. I never once imagined that the separation was going to be just as hard on me. But the realization really hit me the Thursday morning before the ceremony on Saturday, when I wrote in my new journal for the first time. As I wrote about how nervous I was beginning to feel about everything, I suddenly realized that night was our last night together, and I found myself in tears and missing Kodi already.

All too soon it was Friday. In the afternoon, Kodi and I made a trip to the local Best Buy to get a DVD recorder. Then once we returned to Kodi's sisters house, we started preparing the circle for the rehearsal, and set up the elemental tables with all the items for each one. Afterwards, Kodi and I photographed each of them.

Once the rest of the wedding party arrived, the rehearsal began. We all took our places. Kodi and her other sister, who was also her Best Woman, were on one side of the house, while my Best Woman and I were on the other side. The Minstrel was cued, the music began to play; the High Priestess and the Maiden entered the circle. Then it was the Best Women's turn to walk, and they started walking down the hill towards the circle. I was standing there, when suddenly I became overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment and started to cry. This was it. All the months of planning, and now finally the ceremony was here. The music changed, and our music began. The High Priestess motioned for Kodi and I to start our walk, and I took my first step. I still couldn't see Kodi yet, but I was crying, knowing that I'd be seeing her in a second, and that tomorrow she would be looking so fine in her leather. A few more steps and I saw her. Her face was all smiles. Then Kodi saw my tears and her heart went out to me, as I heard her softly say, "Oh, baby." We had a little farther to go before we met at the bottom of the hill. When we did, Kodi wrapped her arms around me and told everyone we were taking a minute. And she just held me, as I shook in her arms. Finally, she asked if they were happy or sad tears. I managed to choke out happy, very happy. She just smiled. We took another minute or two. Then I said, "Okay, let's go," and we started our walk to the circle together, never letting go of each other's hand. We ran through the basics of the ceremony, and then did the whole thing one more time to make sure that we all had it down.

After the rehearsal was over, we had dinner at this really cool gourmet pizza place. The food was awesome. Once everyone had almost finished eating, Kodi and I slipped out to the car to get all the 'thank you' gifts we'd bought for everyone.

For the women, we bought jewelry especially for them to wear in the ceremony. Our Best Women received Sterling silver Celtic knot necklaces set with gemstones that matched the colors of their outfits and mine and Kodi's as well; purple for Kodi's birthstone of amethyst and dark green for my birthstone of emerald. The necklaces came with matching earrings, though the knot designs for each set were very different. For the High Priestess, we bought a necklace with a Sterling silver broomstick charm, in honor of her performing her first handfasting ceremony.

For the men, we bought glasses in our crystal pattern. The director of our DVD, who is also the husband of the High Priestess, received a pair of wine goblets, while the Minstrel, who is the husband of Kodi's Best Woman, received a pair of Irish coffee mugs.

Kodi and I had been looking forward to watching everyone open the presents for months. I think it's safe to say that we blew them all away with the choices we made for them.

Once we got back to the house, my Best Woman and I had to pack up all the stuff we'd need for the next day. After my Best Woman and I packed up her car, I went back into the house to do the one thing I'd been dreading since the day before, which was to say good-bye to Kodi. I handed her a small white box with the poem rolled up and tied to the box with a green ribbon tied in a bow. Then Kodi handed me a small white box with a letter rolled up and tied to the box with a purple ribbon tied in a bow. We kissed and held each other tight, until finally I just had to go. It was getting late and my Best Woman and I still had yet to check in to the motel. Walking out of that house was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Fortunately, I didn't have to drive because I would have never been able to see through all the tears.

When we'd gotten settled in the room, my Best Woman went to the restroom, which gave me a chance to read Kodi's letter and open my present. In the ribbon Kodi had tied her emerald earring, which I put in my ear. Then I untied her letter and opened the box to find a tiny etched Sterling silver book. It was hinged, so I opened it. Inside was a Sterling silver charm in the shape of our knot; the same Celtic knot pattern that is on our wedding rings, called an infinity knot. I really love this woman. And I loved how we both gave each a gift that was a piece of ourselves. And how we gave each other our words to help the other get through the night.

Kodi has given me permission to post her letter. If you'd like to read it and my reaction just click on Kodi's Letter.

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