Saturday, June 01, 2019

A Ballad for Matthew and Jenna

Note: The following was delivered in my roll as the officiant at
our niece's wedding this weekend.

Some of you know one, to a fault you might say
And some know the other, it just happens that way
As time has gone on, you’ve learned more about her
Or maybe it’s him, it all seems a blur

But whether Jenna or Matt is the reason you came
From near or from far, the reason’s the same
To start them off on their journey with a foundation of love
Though when it started it didn’t fit like a glove

It’s a story worth telling, like all good tales to be told
Though there are no monsters or magic or pots filled with gold
Still, let’s begin at the beginning when each was a child
And see if we can determine what’s led to these smiles

Jenna started out quiet. I know… it’s hard to believe
Like blood from a rock, nearly impossible to conceive
But I was there. I can attest. As the last of the cousins
She was shy, though had smiles and laughs by the dozens 

But that quiet didn’t last long, she grew up and expressed
Her thoughts loud and long, you wouldn’t have guessed
That this quiet little lady would grow up to be 
A true Jersey girl who lived life with glee

Now Matt was a sports kid, whatever the play
Hockey, basketball, they all paved the way 
But he settled on baseball as the thing he did best
From Florida to Long Island he put himself to the test

He got hurt once, then twice, it just wasn’t to be
The game could still be played, just less intense, more carefree
It took several stops to find a place just to play
Where it was more about fun at end of the day

Which led him to Ramapo… and here’s where it gets real
For who else found that campus had lots of appeal?
Well, that true Jersey girl we spoke of not moments ago
Jenn was settling in, trying to go with the flow

Then comes the end of one year, and her D Phi E dance
Was coming up quick, and she had to take a chance
And find a date for the spin, to join her sisters and she
But formal it was, and the outfit was key

She asked Matt to join them, he said yes and thanks much
And while a suit he did have, he lacked that finishing touch
He needed a tie. So their first date? The store 
To find a cravat that wasn’t a bore

Now, at the end of that night Matt had a mate for his shirt
But Jenn had spoke nary a word, he thought her feelings were hurt
He thought that would be that, after the dance next to come
It all would all be over... done, done and done

But when dance time came, seemed the quiet Jenn he had met
Was replaced by her twin, a true party cadet
With her girls by her side, they set out and it started 
And Matt found that this girl was not for the fainthearted

From there it just grew, in fits and in starts
As these things just happen, it was an affair of the heart
And over the next weeks and months, and yes, even years
Jen and Matt became one, their path forward became clear 

Yet it wasn’t so easy for Connecticut and Jersey to blend
As both were each trying to tie up loose ends
And jump start their careers in New Haven and York
Not far apart to be sure, but it took time to uncork

With all this hitting the books in a barracks or lab
They spent time together, whatever they could grab
With each other, wherever, as they studied away
Him training as a cop, her focus a P A

And before you could say "what is going on there?"
They seemed like they just worked... it was natural as air
They settled in Stamford and life just moved on
They went here and went there and a picture was drawn
Of a Matt who was smitten by a girl true and sweet
Of a Jenna and her knight that swept her off her feet

And now our story has come to a point, 
Where it both ends and begins on this spot we anoint.
For from this day forward it’s not just Matthew or just Jen
But Matthew and Jenna together, and yes… let’s not forget Ben
(Ed note: Ben is their dog)

They say love is not easy, or maybe better to say
That life together takes work, it’s not always play
But to make it all click from this place we begin
You must have a spark that comes from within
And none here who know you, either Jenna or Matt
Doubts that fire does burn, we can be sure of that

In fairy tales and stories, they end the thereafter
With the words to the effect that they lived happily ever after
Maybe a better way to say about this time now commenced
Is that you both feel as today… but fifty years hence

And so we close today remembering words wise and true
That Love is a gift... for you... and for you
No greater present is given, no greater feeling bestowed
All that is required to let your heart go
And for the other catch it and hold it so near
That nothing else in life is ever as dear

Now Jenna and Matthew, let me turn this back over to you
For words you’ve each written of your commitment so true
With family and friends watching, and the love you embrace
Your new history starts now, in this time and place

We know where, we know when, we just need the how 
Matthew and Jenna, it's time for your vows
Then from here on it's your story, there's no ceiling above
And as you start on your journey we wish nothing but love

-END

Marc Wollin of Bedford is now a registered officiant, available for parties. His column appears regularly in The Record-Review, The Scarsdale Inquirer and online as well as via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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