Back to Ohio and Wedding Bound!
As I write these words, I’m sitting in the passenger seat of my wife’s car as she drives us down I-90W out of New York State and toward Pennsylvania and Ohio. Although we’ve driven through this way before on our way back to see family in Michigan, this will be the first time we’re staying in Ohio since moving from the Cleveland area nearly three years ago.
We’re headed back to our old stomping grounds for a wedding between two dear friends. One I met when he volunteered and then worked for me at the Boy Scout camp I used to direct there. We became fast friends through sarcasm, late nights, and dedication to a job well-done. I met his boyfriend a few years later. He’s equally delightful and they make a perfect couple.
Better yet, the wedding is being held at the scout camp where we used to work. It’ll be a homecoming both of people and places and for me.
There are a lot of emotions wrapped up in this event:
- First and foremost, excitement to celebrate my friends’ marriage. I love weddings and how it’s an opportunity for us all to celebrate two people’s love for one another.
- Second, pride in the fact that the organization that had such a profound impact on my life has progressed so far in recent memory. When I joined the Boy Scouts of America, it was a boys-only club, and was not accepting of gay scouts or leaders. And while the organization is certainly not perfect today, I at least feel good about them opening their doors to every youth and adult, LGBTQ and all. To be hosting a same-sex wedding on Boy Scout property would have been unthinkable not that many years ago. 🏳️🌈
- Third, a wee bit of nerves. While I left the camp and the area on good terms, it’s always a bit weird going back to places where you used to have authority and no longer do. I’m sure to see and talk with old scouts and scouters I used to serve, and they like to gossip about “how things are going with Council these days.” The thing is, many of my close friends still work for the scout council and it’s uncomfortable to hear complaints about people who I know are giving their all day in and day out. But this weekend isn’t about that stuff. It’s about the wedding, and I’m sure it’s going to be a blast reconnecting.
It’ll be awesome to roam around camp again and see what’s changed and what hasn’t. And my mouth is watering just thinking about hitting up The Feve for some late-night tots, just like old times.
Most of all, I can’t wait to get down on the dance floor. 🕺
This is post #30/31 for Blaugust 2024.