Remember, last December, my sister married Joren in Paris? It was a strictly intimate celebration, and this weekend, they tied the knot again in Belgium in front of many friends and relatives - some had flown in from as far as the US, Uruguay (my grandma!) and Kuwait. Céline and Joren met in Amsterdam and now live in Dubai, so traveling was the theme of the party; guests sat at tables with the names of places that are meaningful to the couple and everyone received a boarding pass guiding them through the event.The bride wore turquoise and gold, a reflection of her sparkling and creative personality - I wore a black chiffon dress from the 1920's.
Belgium seemed like a good place, between France (our father's country) and the Netherlands (Joren's homeland). The castle of Feluy, dating back to the 14th c., was the chosen venue, with its medieval tower and beautiful garden, where the ceremony took place - after Céline and Joren pronounced their vows, we blew bubbles in an airy and iridescent demonstration of joy that the children particularly enjoyed. During the cocktail, guests chatted by the pond, and then everyone moved on to a wood-paneled room for dinner.
Here is the limerick I wrote to read during the ceremony:
september 4, september 4
'tis a special day
in belgium we are gathered
'tween the french and dutch midway
my celinoo, my sis, my pal
to joren she said OUI
oh dear oh dear oh dear
what doth this mean for me?
her jokes her sparks
her secrets and gaffes
no longer will she share?
los angeles chauffeur
midnight confidante
shall i no longer be?
wistfully do i sigh
yet blissful is my grin
for i know tis a good man
who loves my dear celine.
Emily Dickinson
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38 comments:
Beautiful pictures and a moving poem ..
That's a lovely limerick you wrote for your sister Mary-Laure! And I know what you mean... when my sis got married I worried that things would be different since we're very close, but actually we are just as close if not closer maybe? Also, like you I love my brother-in-law because I know he truly loves my sis. Thank you for the share, I adore what Céline wore. She looks like a Grecian Goddess.
Lovely, M-L. It looks wonderful. I love Celine's color of choice. And yes, bubbles! Julie the Cat loves them. Your poem is funny & poignant--she'll always be your sister. But you know that...I wonder if Benjy & Taocito were about? Or did T. have to stay in Dubai & mind the shop? But Benjy in formal wear...well, that would be a treat to see.
xo
Susan & GG
Just had to say that Gabbi is right: Céline looks like a Greek goddess. Straight from Mt. Olympus. Lucky Joren.
GABBI - isn't it strange though... I mean, we're no longer going to have those vacation together and all. When I call her, he always takes part in the conversation, which is great because I like him and he's fun, but it's weird to longer have that intimacy..... I'm glad you can relate!
But of course I'm happy she met someone who adores her.
GIULIA - Tao is holding down the fort back in Dubai, as is Celine's cat, Petimoo.
But Benjy witnessed the event from the car - there were pheasants roaming the grounds, and we wanted to make sure there was no bird bloodbath. But of course the guests took turns paying their respects to Benjy chilling in his silver Mercedes.
What a lovely tribute to your sister, and such a magical wedding. Looks like a great time was had by all.
What a sweet poem. I know exactly how you feel. When my sister met and married her husband I was filled with ambivalent feelings - because I knew she was starting a new and wonderful part of her life which made me very happy, but I also knew it was the end of her and me being 'siamese' twins, which made me really sad. I can still have moments when I long for the journeys, all night talks etc that we used to share when we were both single. But if she hadn't married my brother-in-law, I wouldn't have the two most special people in my life, my niece and nephew - goddaughter and godson:-)
CARINA - I'm happy that I expressed feelings that others can relate too. Actually, I am eager for my sister and her husband to have kids so that I can spoil them - I just adore children!
You're so right - when your sister gets married it's the end of something, and the beginning of something, too.
How lovely. What a beautiful place to have a wedding.
Wonderful, beautiful wedding! I love your sister's dress.Your poem is perfect :-). xoxo
very very cool indeed!
thanks for sharing! I love seeing the world and special days like your sis's wedding through your eyes! félicitations to your soeur autre fois!
How gorgeous! I love that they celebrate the international edge to their love, and that so many guests flew in from all corners of the globe. The way it should be! :)
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog just now. x
Have a great week.
xx Charlotta
Mary-Laure, what a beautiful ceremony. Only thing is I wanted to see you in your gown. With Benjy. And, that gateau is incredible with the huge firework. I've never seen one like that. I felt the same way with my daughter. But, it is all fine.
My mistress would like to point out that you are still number 1 no matter what. The bond between the two of you can never change.
DONNA - ah, yes, the gateau, it was spectacular! It was a vanilla and strawberry ice cream cake coated in meringue (this is what the French call a "vacherin"). Yum!
No wonder you never saw one like that: it is THE specialty of this specific caterer, Paulus from Brussels, and they are proud to keep it unique.
TAOCITO - we missed you!!! But you were in our hearts as always.
I hope your little owner liked the limerick; she didn't say anything about it.
Thank you for this beautiful impression of a wonderful day, Mary-Laure! Your pictures are very creative and your poem is breathtakingly sincere. I'm sure we'll find a nice frame for it along with a prominent spot in our living room.
And I'll settle for number 2 :)
Love,
J.
My owner was incredibly touched by your poem. You also recited her favorite Shakespeare sonnet... She just did not get a chance to tell you because everything went so fast. But hey, you didn't mention the little song she recorded especially for you!
I was in Dubai, holding fort.
How utterly lovely and glamorous to be wed again in Belgium in such a historic location! I love the turquoise and gold on your sister - she looks radiant! Your poem is so sweet too! Thank you for sharing!
Mary-Laure, I felt your poignant words....but look at the most loving responses from Joren, Celine....and..the oh-so-wise Taocito... the bond you have with Celine will NEVER weaken....in fact, it will increase.... you have a loving and wonderful family....now, it's just a bit bigger....
Safe flight home for you and Benjy!
♥ Robin ♥
p.s. It WAS a beautiful wedding and YOU were a huge reason why....
oh, and I love the image of Benjy in the silver Mercedes - with guests stopping by to hob-nob with "The Oracle"....
Pues muchas felicidades!
Parece un lugar ideal...
SAM - yes, she was BEAMING with joy!
JOREN - very happy you liked my poem and everything else. Especially happy to see my Celinoo with someone who loves her so much and also had a great sense of humor; someone who is mouf, all in all!
ROBIN - thanks for your sweet, adorable words. They go straight to my heart (and to Benjy's furry little heart).
I would like to point out I was utterly disappointed as I wore my finest tux, cleaned myself from head to claw and did not so much as get a mention! In any case, my foster owner feels saddened that you would imagine your bond weakened. She misses you.
congrats to the couple again! what lovely photos and your limerick is so beautiful, she must have been so happy!
You travel so much, so much, in what area do you work? if you don't mind me asking, you seem so busy!
wish you a nice week,
PETIMOO - I can picture you in your sleek tux! Don't worry, there will be many more occasions to wear it!!
SOLANGE - I'm a translator but really, the main reason I travel so much is because my loved ones are all over the world: my parents are in Paris, my sister lives in Dubai (after living in Amsterdam, Singapore, Mexico and NY state in the past 10 years!), my grandmother is in Uruguay........
Petimoo--I feel the sting of your righteous fuming. I'm also mixing up my English because my mum is playing African music & I don't speak Wolof. (Maman, turn it down!)
Petimoo-milk this for all it is worth. I am outraged on your behalf.
ciao-meow
Giulia, a stylish troublemaker
PS: Have you contacted a lawyer? There might be something actionable here. If not, you should write an editorial. I will publish it on Giulia Geranium, my blog. I have opposable thumbs but she doesn't know it, though she suspects.)
Tu peux nous traduire ton poeme en francais? Merci
GIULIA & PETIMOO - it seems you girls are in the process of creating some kind of Feline Alliance between Washington DC and Dubai... If cats have opposable thumbs, it's the end for all of us! The Kat TaKeover is near!
ANONYMOUS - c'est un peu difficile de traduire ce poeme parce qu'il repose entierement sur un rythme particulier de comptine. En plus, j'ai utilise des mots archaiques (comme 'tis, 'tween, doth) pour donner une impression de comptine ancienne, comme un pastiche.
Mais je peux expliquer le sens:
Strophe 1: nous sommes en Belgique, a mi-chemin entre la France et les Pays-Bas, le 4 septembre
Strophe 2: ma Céline, ma soeur, mon amie, a dit OUI a Joren, et je me demande ce que cela va signifier pour moi.
Strophe 3: est-ce qu'elle ne partagera plus avec moi ses secrets, ses gaffes, ses etincelles, ses blagues?
Strophe 4: est-ce que je serai plus son chauffeur a Los Angeles et sa confidente de minuit?
Strophe 5: je soupire avec tristesse, mais mon sourire est joyeux
Strophe 6: car je sais que celui qui aime ma chere Celine est un homme dont le coeur est pur.
Mwhahaha-meow. Be afraid, be very afraid. Ciao, Comrade Petimoo
PS: Benjy we will need your help. Will be in touch.
Dear Marie-Laure,
The poem is just lovely!
Merci, c'est tres beau.
I'm trying this so I can stay in touch.. Just Penneys blogspot.. You are the best!
Now you will have more to share! So many stories..So much more xo to share together..
Your poem was very special..
xo,
P
ANONYMOUS - ah oui, mais c'est plus joli en anglais, avec des rythmes tres definis et nets, ainsi que des rimes.
PENNEY - Welcome to Aurea! I am sure we will have plenty to share in the future.
Your limerick is very poignant Mary-Laure. I am struggling with those exact feelings at the moment but reading your words makes me feel much, much better. Thank you for that. Your sister looks lovely. What a delightful way to celebrate their marriage!
Lindo el poema, Marie-Laure, lleno de complicidad, de amor, y de inquietud, me encanto!! Gracias por escribirlo en frances.
ELSA - I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear that my limerick is echoed in other people's feelings and lives.
In the end, what matters is that our sisters are with someone who makes them happy, right?
MARTICA - gracias por visitar mi blog! Fue un GRAN placer verte (y ver a James) para el casamiento. Y tu vestido + tus zapatos eran DIVINOS! Un beso.
This is going to sound strange, howver a friend of mine here in Toronto, was telling me that her daughter who loves in Hong kong went to a wedding in Belgium which sounds very much like this one, I winder if it was?
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