Chapter Twenty-One Save the Date
Once they confirmed the venue and paid the deposit of four thousand pounds, the largest single payment Danny and Luis had made together since the purchase of their apartment, the wedding began to take shape.
When he closed his eyes, Danny could now visualize the event including where they might say their vows.
He had already picked out a possible spot by the lake.
After they exchanged rings, they would dine and dance in the barn.
Excited by the plans, Danny woke early one stormy Sunday morning to complete the stack of ‘Save the Date’ cards.
He sat at the kitchen table dressed in sweatpants and an orange hoodie with only candles for light.
For him, writing out the names of their guests was ceremonial rather than a chore – a ledger of all the people they loved in their life.
By his side was a plate of peanut butter toast and a pot of tea.
Jasper had advised him that the ‘Save the Date’ cards shouldn’t steal the thunder from the formal invitations.
Luis & Daniel
Kindly request that you
Save the Date
Saturday 20th July 2013
Invitations to Follow
Taking care over his handwriting, Danny practised each of the guests’ names on a sheet of paper before committing them to card, rejecting any with even the slightest imperfection.
Breaking his promise to be frugal he had opted for expensive stationery, selecting a heavier textured vellum and unusual sage-green envelopes, adding a commemorative London 2012 Olympics stamp to each even though he was the only one who knew how important the ceremony had been to his decision to propose.
While studying examples of other couples’ cards Danny discovered that many ‘Save the Date’ cards included a photograph of the couple.
It had prompted a discussion between Danny and Luis as to whether they should choose a photo of the two of them.
When they moved in together Danny had bought a 35mm Nikon camera to chronicle the transformation of their apartment.
It was the only album he had created during their life together.
But it seemed weird to use a photo from such a long time ago.
Luis took photos when they went hiking using a slim Olympus Infinity camera which he slipped into his shirt pocket.
He stored the prints in a shoebox, each adventure bundled together and bound by a rubber band.
As they sorted through them, they noticed that they had never taken a photo where the entire point was simply to celebrate the two of them.
Struck by this fact they attempted a portrait of themselves as a couple.
Using the timer on Luis’s iPhone they tried various poses, solemn, smiling, their arms around each other or by their sides, but the results appeared stilted.
After many attempts they gave up. Danny comforted himself with the fact that at the wedding there would be a professional photographer tasked with capturing the two of them together.
Shortly after he had finished the last card, it started pouring with rain. Woken by the storm Luis entered the kitchen, noticing the stacks of green envelopes on the table.
‘We could’ve done them together.’
Danny had worried that he would seem like a nag if he had asked for help.
‘I thought it might be better if they were written by the same person. The handwriting will be the same.’
Luis didn’t see the logic.
‘The guests aren’t going to compare the cards. No one will ever know.’
Danny couldn’t deny the point.
Luis continued, ‘Can I at least write one?’
Danny reached forward, selecting one of the sealed envelopes at random, opening it and ripping the completed card in half. He placed a fresh card on the table with a new envelope and a pen. Luis seemed taken aback.
‘You didn’t need to rip one up.’
Realizing the act had seemed hostile, Danny said, ‘If you want to write one, I need to throw one away. I have plenty of spares. It’s fine.’
Luis sat down and picked up the pen. Using the torn card as a template, he copied the names of the guests onto the new card.
For some reason he messed up, writing at a lopsided angle.
Danny handed him a new card and this time Luis fetched his own pen.
As Luis made a second attempt, Danny admitted, ‘There was a reason why I wanted to write all the cards. Writing them out made me realize who was missing.’
Luis looked up.
‘Who?’
Danny said, ‘My parents.’
Luis put down his pen. He said nothing for a time before asking, ‘You want to invite them to the wedding?’
Danny nodded.
‘I want to try. I’m thinking about going to visit them. To give them a card in person. You think it’s a bad idea?’
Luis picked up his pen again and doodled on the ripped card.
‘I’ve never met them. I wasn’t there when it fell apart. Of course, you should visit them if that’s what you want.’
Danny accidentally knocked over the stack of cards with some tumbling to the floor.
Simultaneously they both knelt to collect the fallen cards, checking each to see if they were dented or marked in any way.
Flustered, Danny continued, ‘Isn’t this wedding an opportunity?
To fix the broken relationships in our lives. ’
Luis sounded uncertain.
‘Is that what a wedding is?’
Danny glanced at Luis.
‘You don’t think I should see them?’
Collecting the invitations Luis sounded stern.
‘I already said you should see them. I just don’t think you needed a wedding to do it.’
Danny thought on this.
‘Except I did.’