Thank you all for your good wishes. It was truly an amazing day for Ellen and me. Just to look out and see so many people from so many parts of our lives, together in the same room, was very special.

We chose the Cecil Community Centre for the event because it has so much history and significance. It was originally a synagogue, then a church, and now it's a busy community centre in a downtown, mostly Chinese neighbourhood. Our choir, Common Thread Community Chorus, rehearses there every Wednesday night. My mom held her 50th birthday party there, and weddings of several friends have taken place there. What I didn't know, but was very moved to find out on Saturday night, is that it is also where the first meeting of a lesbian and gay organization took place in Toronto, probably sometime in the late 60s or early 70s. So how's that for poetic justice?

Debbie's singing was fantastic, and Arnie and Kathy's banjo and guitar tunes at the beginning of the event were perfect. So many other people contributed wonderful music, and we had a wild and crazy Prairie Wedding Dance-- in honour of Ellen's prairie roots-- to cap off the evening.

Every aspect of the day was done by a friend, colleague, or family member, from the legalities (thanks to friend Vicki Obedkoff) to our rings (made by our friend Shona Kearney), to the food (brought by everyone), the photography, music, sound system (courtesy of Lydia and Jason), decorations, cakes-- everything. We definitely could not have done it without all the people behind the scenes helping coordinate all the food, setting up the hall, cleaning up, and all the little details that make something run smoothly. For me it reaffirmed how special our community of friends and family are.

And in fact, this thread is also a testament to the amazing community on Mudcat. Some of us may have never met, but I'm "feeling the love," as they say.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Love,

Eve