Do you ever have those moments of total satisfaction? When you know that you are exactly where you are meant to be, doing exactly what you are meant to be doing, and this undeniable feeling of joy rises within you? Basically, that is how this whole day felt. Ali and Julia expressed to me early on that this wedding was more about the merging of family tradition than it was about their individual desires to wed. They had been together for many years, are raising two incredibly beautiful children, and balancing selfless and loving lives. They wanted to offer their families a space to come together, to honor their traditions, and to celebrate what is meant to be shared. They hosted two ceremonies.

The first, a traditional Christian ceremony, led by Ali’s mother, a graduate from the Lancaster Seminary, where the wedding was held. This location was very special to all of them, as it was the first place they called home when they decided to move to this town. The children recalled their very early memories of playing in the courtyard with their friends and pointed out their front door in the dorm to me. Ali’s mother talked a lot about accepting each other as family, regardless of our judgements of the other, regardless of where we come from. She talked of keeping an open heart and open hands, to helping each other out. Their personal vows to each other spoke of the synchronicities that brought them together, the satisfaction they have experienced in surrender to the love they share, and the adventures that stand before them.

Ali works for a non-profit called Salone Rising. Focusing on helping small business owners in Sierra Leone, West Africa thrive, it takes him far from home for extended periods of time. Julia is an incredible mother and music teacher, educating children from her local community to play music and running a blog called The Music Mommy. From this point on, she and the children will join him during the extended stays in West Africa.

Naturally, the second ceremony, honored the traditions and visiting families from West Africa. A procession of drums created a beat that carried Ali to Julia. A ceremony rich in deep symbolism and offerings to the family of the bride, she accepted his traditional proposal three times, creating a chord that would carry them through a lifetime together. There were many, many beautiful and touching moments during the brief time I shared with them on this day. One of the most touching things I heard shared during the second ceremony was that when I bride is accepted into the tribe, every man accepts her as his own. Meaning, that they honor, respect, and protect her as if she was their own family. They viewed her now, as one of their own.

I am so honored to have been a witness to the merging of these traditions and these families. I was truly changed by the experience and hope to carry a piece of it with me forever.

If you wish to learn more about Salone Rising or follow along with their journey through Julia’s blog, please check out the links included in this post.

Thank you so much Ali and Julia, for the endlessly enriching experience that was this day!