Why Twice?

laurel & ben hara

We were legally married in a small, private ceremony at the Colorado National Monument on April 29, 2005.  This traditional wedding ceremony was our version of eloping - we wanted to get the official part over and done with.  The fun, creative, non-traditional celebration will take place at our commitment ceremony in September.   We were joined by about 15 family members from Colorado, Utah and New Hampshire.  Our wedding took place on the edge of a red desert cliff overlooking a majestic valley of chimney rocks.  The wedding was officiated by Pastor Blaine Scott of the First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction.    Following the wedding ceremony, we held a picnic reception at the home of Laurel's grandparents, Arthur & Frances Gilbert.  Since many of Laurel's family will not be able to travel to Massachusetts for our commitment ceremony, this gave us a chance to celebrate with them, and gave our families their first chance to get to know each other.

Bookcliff Overlook at the Colorado National Monument

The New England Peace Pagoda

Our commitment ceremony this September will give us the opportunity to publicly honor our relationship in a more creative way, together with our entire community of family and friends.  Our commitment ceremony will also be the symbolic moment wherein we officially join together as Laurel and Ben Hara, honoring our creation of a new family with a new family name.   At our commitment ceremony, we will not be constrained by the boundaries of tradition, but will be able to celebrate in a way that holds the most personal meaning for both of us.  The ceremony will harmonize Ben's background in the Quaker faith with Laurel's appreciation of Buddhist spirituality, and will be a unique spiritual experience for our entire community.   The commitment ceremony will be held at the New England Peace Pagoda in Amherst, Massachusetts, and will be officiated by Subhana Bonner.