The Marriage Saga, Concluded

Success! We got hitched yesterday!

We couldn't wait for our favorite Standesbeamtin. Our time left in Germany is ticking away, the big family pottery market is upon us, and every nook and cranny is filling up with relatives. My mother is practically in the air already, en route to us for a 10 day visit. Things were getting busy pretty fast.

We took the first available time slot with the associate Standesbeamtin. She was a little reluctant to do it our way. Maybe she wasn't used to minimalist marriages. We said: we want simple, unsentimental, relaxed, direct, just sign here. It's just us. We've already committed to each other. We already have a child together, another is underway; we're already a proper family. She said: big hall with fancy table, rows of empty chairs, canned music, flowery ceremonial introduction. We said: your office, no music, no introduction. She warned that we could be interrupted by the telephone ringing. Meh, said we, we could also be interrupted by the Gustav screaming. What's the difference? I don't think she really understood, but she was willing to give it a go.

We dressed a bit nicer that morning -- not our typical hot summer rags. Johann wore a collared shirt and long pants, and I wore a red dress and the red nut earrings that Johann got me in Berlin. We packed our gear for the day and drove the Beluga camper van to the Standesamt. Gustav distracted himself with their official rubber stamp collection, and we got down to business.

The Standesbeamtin read some generic prepared remarks, a sweet little introduction thanking us and appreciating the commitment we were making today. I teared up a little. Then she asked us individually if we wanted to be married, "Marta, do you want to marry Johann?" and "Johann, do you want to marry Marta?" We each responded with the strong and traditional German affirmation: "Ja, Ich will!". I laughed. Then we signed the legal documents and the marriage certificate and.. PRESTOCHANGO! Insta-marriage. We're legit.

We hopped back in the camper and drove to the beach in Ahrenshoop (with a stopover at Lidl to pick up a couple bottles of sekt and peach nectar). The family had opened the pottery market the day before, and it was already Family Central. A group was gathered around the eating area when we arrived. There were the normal hugs and kisses in greeting. "You look nice," they said. We invited folks to have some homemade Dresdener Eierscheke cake (Johann's request) and sekt with us. "Is it someone's birthday?" they asked. "No, no..." said we, coyly, invitingly, all smiles, knowing someone would guess.

Finally Reinhart asks me, "Hey, did you get married?" I can't play straight any longer; a huge grin erupts all over my face. But I say, grinning, "You should ask Johann." And suddenly the cat is out of the bag and there's mayhem! Johann's sister Clara starts hooting and cheering, riling people up, and we're shot into the spotlight. Hugs and kisses in congratulation. Johann pops the sekt, and I cut the cake. Songs are sung. We toast the sekt in celebration, and get wrapped in a warm familial embrace. Malo takes a photo or two. And then we're off to the beach with Gustav for some naked time in the sun. Beautifully simple.