True Love
Farmers are a different breed of people altogether yet they are predictable in their actions. Where else would a farmer get married except on a farm with the reception in a barn. Last Friday our beloved Rachel from Springfield farm and her fiancée, Parker stood in front of a quiet pond beside a limestone farmhouse and red bank barn to exchange vows of marriage in front of a group of their friends and families at Eagles Ridge in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
A Friday wedding? You better believe it since Rachel wanted her market family to be able to attend and still make it to market on Sunday. It was a chance for some of us to clean up and dress up. After all we've watched Rachel grow up over the years at the market as she worked alongside her mother, Catherine who was swimmingly elegant in an off the shoulder garnet sparkling floor length gown. That's a far cry from the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man insulated coveralls in waterfowl cammo white they sport during winter markets. And her grandfather, AKA Santa Claus to those of us who see him every holiday season, was quite dashing in a ruby and black print tuxedo jacket adorned with his military Insignia and metals.
For people who live in coveralls, overalls and clothing stained with the evidence of our agrarian lives it was no wonder that Rachel and Parker opted for the full on formal wear with bridesmaids in striking black floor length gowns and the bride in a snow white off the shoulder mermaid gown with lots of sparkles. Fortunately there were no chickens or turkeys in sight or they would have been trying to peck the sequins from her gown.
Vows were exchanged to peals of laughter when they included one bringing home three wiener dogs without asking the other. And while some of us knew that Parker was the first boy Rachel had kissed in the 5th grade for others the knowledge of a lifetime of love long before the I dos restored our faith in the essence of destiny and romance. At least Parker had an inkling of what he was getting into when he chose Rachel as his best friend for life. Her sister joked about having 100 acres and a backhoe during her toast lest Parker behave in an ungentlemanly way, but I’m sure the avid dirt bike racer was thinking about what else he could do with land and heavy equipment.
After their true confessions, the exchange of rings, and the big kiss, guests retired to the front of an immaculate event barn without a shred of hay or manure to be found. They bantered over drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and merriment with each other outside of their normal environments until after the photographer had worked their magic for posterity and social media. After all, the couple reconnected through an Instagram DMs where their romance blossomed through midnight messages and sappy emojis.
The couple’s shared love of all things Dachshund was evident from the guest seating cards, tiny silhouettes to the cake topper that included dogs. Unfortunately, the pooches didn’t make an appearance as the ring bearers and were absent from the celebration.
Newlyweds need a chance to have a rest after their big day so we'll forgive Springfield Farm for skipping their Saturday market. They were, however, in their regular spot on Sunday morning because even life defining events such as a wedding can't keep a good farmer away from their customers and fellow vendors. Congratulations to the new Mrs. and Mr. of Springfield farm who will be carrying on another generation of caring for the land and raising healthy and delicious foods.