Wedding Party
Mel and I have a small wedding planned, so the bridal party isn't very large.
Tracy Buchman
Aileen's Maid of Honor
Tracy is my baby sister.
Okay, she's actually over twenty one now, so "baby" might not be the best term, but she's three years younger than me. She has been one of the MOST supportive people about this wedding EVER. She's offered to make the cake, she helps Duo and I keep in focus, and she was sooo patient with me about the MoH dresses. I love her to bits!
The main reason why she's a Maid of Honor instead of a bridesmaid is because she's more important to me than just a friend, or a good acquaintance. She's usually pretty willing to talk about anything, she accepts Duo as part of the family, and she's very helpful in everything she does. She had a bad experience with someone she was lead to believe was a friend of hers during this "friend's" wedding, and I still really can't believe it happened. Suffice it to say, this "friend" lost out on a really great MoH.
Diane Buchman
Melonie's Maid of Honor
Diane is my older sister, but Duo likes her a lot. Actually, she likes both my sisters, but she'll always remember during the first Christmas Duo spent with my family how Diane came out and said that Duo was now part of our family. Duo had never felt so accepted before, especially since she was so worried my family didn't like her. So, partly due to that, Duo wanted Diane to be her Maid of Honor.
Other reasons I suppose would include Duo's appreciation for Diane's openess with talking about most anything and her sense of humor. I don't remember a time when Diane was visiting when somebody wasn't laughing.
Good times.
Rick and Doris Buchman
Father and Mother of Aileen, Parents of Bride A
These are my folks, Rick and Doris. Normal parents wouldn't let their daughter stay at home with them with her fiance as the wedding creeps closer, but my parents have never been "normal"...thankfully.
I guess unlike a lot of lesbians parents, mine are incredibly supportive. It isn't "legal" for Mel and I to marry here in Kentucky, but even for my retired Lt. Col. Dad, that's not a problem. Initially, I don't think Dad knew how to take me being gay, but he's got over any issues he might have had. Mom, of course, never once faltered in her support and even brags to her friends that I'm "the gay one". *lol*
Tracy Combes
Mother of Melonie, Parent of Bride B
Duo comes from a Mormon family, so saying she had a lot of support when she first came out would be a downright lie. Even now, her mother will say she isn't condoning our relationship, but I think she's okay with me. At least Duo says she is. Mrs. Combes has actually admitted that she prefers me over Duo's ex, which sometimes just makes me smile when I think about it. Duo knew her ex for a long time, met her in high school, but even though they'd known each other that much more than she's known me, her Mother prefers me.
In a weird way, that kind of makes me feel accepted.
Frank Guyette
Brother of Melonie, Giving Mel Away
Mel's Dad died when she was six years old. Both of us think it's still important that someone give her away to me at the ceremony, so she called up her brother Frank and asked if he would do it. He's agreed, but we're still not 100% sure he'll be able to make it the day of the wedding. Duo's Mom has said if he can't do it, she will.
Interestingly enough, Frank was the first of Duo's family that she told she was lesbian. He was pretty supportive, even wants to meet me. Hopefully that can happen *before* the wedding.
David Buchman
Groomsman
David is my older brother, and though he can be pretty darn flighty, I still want to include him in my wedding. So, he gets to be a groomsman! He'll be walking Mom down the aisle to seat her at the beginning of the ceremony. I just have to remember to remind David more and more as the date gets closer.
George Eis
Groomsman
Duo's other older brother, George, will be the other groomsman and walk their Mother up the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony.
He was kind of the last of Duo's family that got to be told about her lesbian status. He's still pretty cool about it, though.
