Today, my brother-in-law was sworn in as one of three new Superior Court Judges in our county - and Dan & I were invited to watch the ceremony and attend the reception afterwards.
The ceremony began with a brief opening speech from the presiding judge, followed by the three new judges taking their oath of office. Then, each new judge was 'robed up' by his family members. It was fun to watch my 4 year old nephew helping his Dad get zipped up. Then, each new judge was introduced by a retired or current judge by way of a speech. Finally, each judge stepped up and gave their own speech, thanking everyone who had a part in their becoming judges, and pledging to honor the responsibility of their position. It was all really moving, sometimes funny, and inspiring. I was particularly moved that my brother-in-law referred to me as Dan's spouse in his thank yous, just as he did Dan's sister's husband. It means a lot to me that someone in a position of power, such as a judge, uses his words to convey that equality of my marriage and those of other family members.
But enough about politics. After checking out his new courtroom, the family made our way down to Il Terrazzo Carmine for an incredibly generous reception. The wine flowed freely, and the food seemed never ending. Steak sandwiches, pasta salads, smoked salmon, cheeses, crostini, caprese, and roasted veggies were just a few of the many delicious offerings. I piled a plate high for Dan & I to share, and squeezed into a booth with my in-laws to sip some wine and enjoy the meal.
And when we saw people coming back to their tables with cannolis, Dan's mother went and procured some for us. They were different than those I'd had in New York, seeming to be made of light, flaky puff pastry rather than the hard shells I'd experienced. They were great.
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