I always ask couples how they
found me. Sometimes they went searching on the internet, sometimes their
wedding planner referred them to me, and sometimes a friend recommended me. And,
sometimes, they were actual guests at a wedding I officiated. That is how Brooke
and Eric found me. I officiated their friends, Rachel and Mark’s wedding.
Here is where things get
really interesting, though. They, specifically, cited something I said during
these personal remarks that they felt described not only Rachel and Mark, but
them too. That is the concept of someone being, “my person.”
Faith Fishkin writes, “The
term ‘my person’ originated from the show ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ My own personal
definition is the person you go to for everything, the person you can’t live
without, the person you can’t stay mad at, and the person that supports you in
everything that you do. Being someone’s ‘person’ is a commitment. There is a very
big difference between being someone’s boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend and
being someone’s person. When someone is your person, you have such a deep
connection and understanding of one another -- you pretty much know each other
like the back of your hand.”
Now, true enough, your
“person” need not necessarily be the same as your romantic partner. However, sometimes,
as is the case with Brooke and Eric, you hit the jackpot, and you get both in
one tidy package.
One way in which to use
Fishkin’s words, Brooke and Eric support each other in everything they do is in
their approach to their Judaism. You see, there can be different approaches to following
your faith tradition. You can follow it because you believe God told you to.
You can follow it because it is part of your tradition.
However, there is an
approach that takes this one step further. Some people ask, why did God tell me
to do this or what utility is there in observing this thing that is part of my
tradition? Brooke and Eric ask this question. Brooke speaks for both of them,
when she gives this answer: “My involvement in the Jewish community… has helped
me understand the importance of community and the power of being with others in
our tradition. It is through my Judaism that I have learned to do acts of
kindness and mitzvot on a daily basis. In the future, I hope to expand my roots
and I pray that Eric and I will be able to pass these values onto our children.
As the years go on, I look forward to continuing to live a meaningful life
elevated by my Judaism.”
My friends, let us all find inspiration
in these words, and let us strive for, in Brooke’s words, “a meaningful life
elevated,” by whatever tradition, philosophy or approach we live by.
