With the Mass over, it was time to leave. I suppose of all the moments one imagines about one’s wedding, this is one of the (for me) least exceptional. No shudders; no thinking, “I really feel married now”; no sense of anything except, “Whew, the most stressful part is now over.”

Well, no, that’s not true. There was a certain amount of pride I personally felt. After all, look how beautiful the bride was that day.

After all the guests came out, it was time to kiss them. All. One after the other . . .