Before we were married, my husband and I went to marriage prep classes. Our priest told us a funny story to shed some light on the process and ease our anxiety.
He told a story about a couple he married a few years before. The mother of the bride took over the festivities. She picked the venue, ordered the cake and flowers, and hired the DJ. The bride and groom were not concerned with such details and were happy to step back and let her take charge of the event, but it began to become clear that things were getting out of hand.
She created meticulous spread sheets which she printed out for the entire wedding party, including a schedule of the special day. Every 15 minutes there was something on the schedule. Even “spontaneous” photos with bridesmaids as they got their hair and makeup done was on this schedule.
Before the ceremony, as the entire family and wedding party lined up to take group photos with the photographer, a large seagull flew right above the bride and let go. It was as if he was the Red Barron and saw his target with a long white dress in center of the crowd. The bird pooped on the front of the bride’s dress.
The entire group fell silent, then tried to look elsewhere, pretending it didn’t happen, even though it was on a part of the bride’s dress that was difficult to ignore. And that is when the bride began to laugh. Not a nervous laugh. Or the kind to cover up sadness. But a great big billowy laugh that filled up the space around her until her Love joined in. They held onto each other; afraid their laughter would topple the two of them. They had to cling to each other to stay upright.
And the bride couldn’t help herself. She said to her mother, “was that in the schedule?”
In that moment her mom knew she had gone too far but also that she was loved and forgiven and that some things, especially the best things cannot be planned and that getting pooped on by a bird, in some cultures is considered lucky, especially on your wedding day.
The rest of the wedding party laughed, and the rest of the day went on less rigid, more joyful.
I thought of this story the other day, while I was sitting in my car, with my sunroof open, waiting for my children to get out of their music lessons, when a bird dropped one in, while flying past my open roof. What are the chances! That he would dive me right as he passed by?! Not only through my roof, but splattered upon my own skin?
It is not my wedding day, but I consider this a good omen.