None of their friends dreamed they’d ever get married again. Neither did their children, nor they themselves. But there they were Sunday night, exchanging vows under an arch of sunflowers as the sky over the Catskills turned gold and then salmon.

She had watched her husband of 45 years die of cancer five years earlier; he was her husband’s older brother and had buried his wife of 49 years back in 2007.  And now they were making vows that would bring their lonely lives together again: Gillian Barth, 72, with Klaus Barth, 81.

She has twelve children and so does he. Between them, there are more than 60 grandchildren. Both are accomplished artists, and both trained in England: the place where she grew up, and where he travelled as a young man, after the war. Neither has had an easy life: both have moved from continent to continent, from Europe to America and South America and Australia and back to America again. There have been happy moments, of course: children and grandchildren and sons- and daughters-in-law. And hard moments, too: illness and death and disappointment.

But watching them stand there now, surrounded by family and friends, I was struck by the joy and simplicity of it all. They had shared their lives anyway, for decades – their children were cousins, after all. But what brought them together now was a common and much deeper purpose: a commitment to a life lived for others, and for God. And so there wasn’t any need for lavish or costly preparations, for rentals and reservations or chefs and photographers. Instead, their friends and family had rallied to set out hundreds of folding chairs. And the weather had cooperated.

In an age when marriage is being redefined, if not despised or dispensed with altogether, it was a fitting ceremony. One man and one woman. Till death do us part, however long off that might still be. Blessed by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jesus must have liked weddings, because he worked his first miracle at a marriage feast in Cana, turning water into an especially good wine. And so as the cake was cut, glasses of Riesling were poured and passed around. Guitars and violins were unlocked from their cases, and the crickets and cicadas were soon drowned out by the sound of music and singing.

 

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Your Turn. Tell us what you thought about this article:

Responses

Beautiful,Heart Touching.God`s way.Time is`nt  what matters.It`s how we live and what we do with that time, that matters.May God give you both many more Blessings. Rose Hall

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Thank you for sharing this inspiring moment!

Many happy years to the adventurous and happy couple!

Derrick Neve
Marçon, France

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Dear Plough:  We certainly have our differences, but I must say, this was a truly beautiful reflection written by Reuben.  You had me at the salmon sunset, sunflowers, Riesling and crickets.  I believe in marriage equality for all committed couples, but thank you for showing these photos of this union.  The husband feeding his wife cake particularly warms my heart.  What a beautiful and tender moment between these two!  So often, the picture of marriage is defined by young, wrinkle-free faces and it's all about 'the dress.'  Kudos for posting photos of love in the later years.  The bride looks radiant and beautiful with her floral garland and her beautiful smile. There is a lot of kindness and sincerity in the groom's eyes.  I wish this couple much peace and happiness and many more years together. 

A Reader

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Like a previous reader, I have my differences with you all about the importance of equality for all (including same-sex) committed relationships, but I was touched by this little article. It reminds us what is important: love that is active, not just "a feeling," commitment and openness to futures God provides which we may never have imagined. Thank you for posting it.

Sarah

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Congratulations Klaus & Gillian, I hope you will have many happy years of love and companionship together.

Linda

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Beatiful story of two people

Anne Horjus

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There is nothing more beautiful than the bond between a man and a woman sanctified by the blessings of the Lord.  This article is a testament to that, especially in a time when the traditional marriage is under attack.  It is nice to see that there are still many who continue to find happiness in the way that marriage was intended.  Thank you for this and I wish them the best.

Marlon
Guyana

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Wonderful story!  Even older folks deserve not to be alone and still have so much to give and to live for. 
Congratulations and God bless both of you and your marriage!

Rolf & Marlene