You may now kiss the Jane

Tomorrow, I will fly across the country to go to the wedding of a friend that I haven't seen in seven years. In fact, during that time, we've never talked on the phone, and we've only sent each other the odd email. It's one of those friendships where you feel close to the person, but don't actually physically communicate. A few months ago, she wrote to ask me to come to her wedding. It really seemed to mean a lot to her. In fact, I believe her email went something along the lines of: "Please, please come. It would make my wedding if you came. You don't have to buy me anything at all. I just want you to come!" I've never had anyone beg me to come to a wedding before, so I thought, "Why not?" I really can't afford it, but it's one of those situations where if I didn't go, I may never see this person again.

What made it even more appealing was the fact that Jane is going to be there. We barely get to see each other because she, too, moved across the country. Jane and I have a history of raising hell at weddings. We're notorious in some circles.

My favourite incident occurred at my friend's wedding three years ago. I was a bridesmaid and was dating Mr. E at the time. We were at the reception and Jane suggested that the boyfriend and I kiss and she would take a picture. I obliged but I thought it was really lame. "It would be way more interesting if I had a picture of you and me kissing, Jane," I said.

Jane tossed the camera at my brother and laid one square on my lips. It took my bro quite awhile to compose himself to get the shot, so we sat there, lip to lip, for some time, waiting. Behind us, I heard a little old lady's voice, sounding very confused and disturbed:

Girls? Girls! What are you doing? What are you doing? Quit that girls! Oh dear! Girls! Stop that now!! Stop!

Our lips were quivering with laughter, but we dared not break the pose, because after that outburst, we definitely needed the photo to commemorate the moment.

The pic turned out pretty well. If you look really closely, you can even make out the little old lady in the background. I think she was Lyn's great aunt, and I'm pretty sure we traumatized her.

Who knows if I'll come back home with any stories like that, but it's sure to be an interesting weekend regardless.