The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,
I married your mom 22 years ago. It was our anniversary yesterday, but I doubt she remembers. Have you ever seen photos from our wedding? The marriage definitely had some problems, but the wedding was pretty nice. Some people later told me it was the nicest wedding they’d ever attended, including their own.

We were married by a Kahuna. Technically, she was a Kahuna Lapa‘au – a priest in the Hawaiian religion. I know “kahuna” is an overused, commercialized word on the Mainland now, mostly associated with surfing.

We were married on a beachfront property under a full moon. It was in Kekaha, just a few miles from Waimea where you were born.

Papa Bear was there. And Nana Julie. Even Nana Mamie Jo Morey was there; she was still alive and made the long journey from Lynchburg. We had hula dancers and kalua pork and poi and great music and machetes and coconuts and bubbles! You shoulda been there!

wedding

Under the full moon on the beach.