Six years ago today, the sewer pipe in our basement burst. The Roto-Rooter guy walked up the stairs and told us it was bad. “You’re not going to be able to flush a toilet or turn on a tap,” he told us. My partner Alex and I looked at each other. We remained calm. We told the guy we were getting married in a few hours and that the house would soon be full of people. We asked if there was anything else he could do. He scratched his chin. “There’s one thing I haven’t tried, I guess,” he mused. “But I don’t think it will work.” We asked him to please try the one thing. He did. It worked.

The last six years have been full of joy and adventure. We have pushed each other and supported each other and loved each other through all manner of challenges, some rewarding, some fraught. Throughout it all, there has been such kindness. 

Our wedding day was beautiful, with so many wonderful friends and memories. But the Roto-Rooter guy is always there, too. You, sir, have become a magnificent metaphor. Every so often, we have to try the one thing that we don’t think will work. But it usually does.

(Photo by the brilliant Shane Epping)