Christina

The dream wakes me in the early hours of Christmas morning. I don’t know if I am more startled by the vividness of what I saw in my dream, or shocked by the sight of Eli in my bed. Then the events of the day before come flooding back into awareness. It had been a whirlwind year, filled with shocking revelations and surprising discoveries. I know more about who I am now, but more importantly, I am married to Eli. All of the discoveries of the previous year led to our wedding on Christmas Eve. Last night, our wedding night, is the first time we have been intimate with one another. I can still feel the sweetness of it in my body, but even more in my heart. The sense of awe and wonder and mystery still lingers. We will go today to see my father and the rest of my family in Newark Valley. They are expecting us for the family dinner. I called and warned them that I would be bringing Eli, a dear friend, though I did not elaborate on what that meant. I have mentioned him a number of times over the past few months, so at least it will not be the first time they had heard his name. I can only hope that they will not be disappointed that they were not present for our sudden nuptials. But our decision to have our wedding on Christmas Eve was literally accomplished overnight. We got the license on one day, waited the required time frame, and then stood before the judge friend of Eli’s parents. After that, Eli led the Christmas Eve worship service at his church. It all happened so suddenly that I did not even know where we would spend our wedding night. Eventually, we went to my house. Now I remember much of the evening, as my mind sheds its sleepiness. I also remember last night’s candlelight service, and my hand shaking as I held the candle high during the singing of Silent Night. It was clearly a most holy night, in every way imaginable.