“My life for yours.” That’s what the pastor said in the homily. My new brother, Alan, and my sister, Erin, stood up on a platform, hand-in-hand and the pastor charged them with John 15:13 passion. He said “This is the gospel. This is marriage.”

And now, a week later, I still can’t get it out of my head… it keeps swirling up there… “My life for yours.”

The wedding was an exquisite party: the romance, the colors, the smiles, the family, my all-time favorite rendition of “That’s Amore”, skanking down the aisle to Flatfoot 56 (oh yes, I did!), taking photos in the city’s street, the hula-hoops, glow-sticks, confetti, favors made by Erin and Alan’s dear youngsters in the city, wine, good bread, and gourmet coffee, and an exiting arch made out of sparklers… and yet, the sweetest, most profound thing keeps lingering in my heart, ringing in my ears, and practicing itself on my lips: my life for yours.

My life for yours.

This is the essence of love.

Here are a couple of photos from the gorgeous December day. But I hope your most lasting impression is the title of this post, the theme of our existence.

(My sister and my parents. So beautiful.)

(My only shot of the handsome groom. We’ll have to order photos from the photographer. Our arms were full. And, as I said, we were busy celebrating!)

My delights.

Flower girls in Philly.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends…