The Missus & I are proud members of the 9/11 Club, those whose wedding falls on September 11. Of course, people are still getting married on 9/11. Numerous couples, I’m sure, got married today, September 11, 2009. (Just ask Google. He’ll back me up on this, I think.)

And to all of them, I have only one thing to say: “Mazel Tov!”

I might post more pictures next week, because I have to scan them first from the actual photos. (Remember those?)

Today, while I was waiting to have blood drawn, some folk singer on TV was singing a woeful song—I’m sure it was supposed to be woeful—about how she couldn’t forget this day, because it changed her life forever.

Look at these pictures! This is why when I heard that song, I smiled—instinctively—and thought, Yeah. It sure did change my life forever.

I’m not quite sure what happened to that time.

When we first got married, we crammed ourselves into a tiny, attic apartment on High Street. We used to go grocery shopping together, every week. And we brought our laundry, together, across town to the nice laundromat; and while it was tumbling, we’d walk across the parking lot to Burger King, and I’d eat a Whopper Jr. plus a chicken sandwich, plus a Coke and fries. I couldn’t even fit that amount of food in my stomach today.

I’m about to do something in extremely poor taste; and I’m going to explain to you the reason why; and I’m not going to apologize. And you’re going to understand. And more than that, you’re also going to support me.

You see, while 9/11 for most other people holds memories of dread and of grief, for me, it holds memories of hope and of joy. Because September 11 is my wedding anniversary.

Margaret and I married each other on the afternoon of September 11, 1993. That means, this Friday, we will had been married 16 years. Not a milestone, but significant enough to keep us on the dance floor long after all those young whippersnappers have been driven off, leaving us to dance with the 20-years-ers, 30-years-ers, 40-years-ers, and… Well, you get the point.

And we’re not the only couple who was married on September 11. As they say:

Married in September's golden glow,
Smooth and serene your life will go.

I personally know at least one other couple who was married on September 11. And couples are still getting married on September 11. And they, like Margaret and I, we all have to look to that day—not as an example of what to fear—but as an example of love, of what our lives ought to be.