Volunteer Para-Chaplain Officiates Wedding for Couple She’d Never Met
“I had never met Lulu when I got her call asking me if I would officiate at her wedding ceremony,” says volunteer para-chaplain Lynn Nadel. You may remember Lynn from a story we recently shared about her leading a Pete Seeger sing-along in the memory care unit at Frasier. Lynn has amazed us again as she went above and beyond her volunteer commitment!
Over the five years she has been leading monthly Shabbat services at Frasier, Lynn formed a close relationship with a resident. When that resident’s daughter, Lulu, and her fiancé Joseph—who live in New York—wanted to get married recently, Lulu called Lynn and asked her to officiate at her wedding. Lulu explains, “My mother told me what a kind person Lynn is and how she always made something gluten free for my mom to eat after Shabbat. When Joseph and I spoke to Lynn, her kindness, affection for my mom, and deep spirituality were clear, and we decided she was the perfect person to marry us.”
Lynn had never officiated at a wedding and, before accepting the offer, made sure she could legally do so. She learned that in Colorado, a couple can legally get married with the appropriate documents. “Once I knew that, I never hesitated in my desire to help Lulu and Joseph, as this was a kindness I could do for Lulu’s mother,” says Lynn. “It was very important to the couple to have the blessings of their mothers as part of the ceremony, so by doing it at Frasier, Lulu’s mother could be there." Joseph's mother flew in from New York, and other family and friends traveled from other states to be part of the festivities.
This creative and loving couple got married on the anniversary of the day they met, which was also very important to them. Lynn exclaims, “I was thrilled to be entrusted with the creative challenge of fashioning a ceremony together with Lulu and Joseph that would sparkle and honor the religious traditions of all family members. Being part of their joyful coming together with family and friends has been the highlight of my year!”
