Welcome Aboard!

As you all have no doubt recognized by now, the train is playing a prominent role in our wedding. The image featured above and enclosed with your invitation was taken from an actual train ticket issued by the Northern Pacific Railway to Martha's father, Wayne E. Stracener.  He rode that train in 1952 from his home in Memphis, Tennessee to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was stationed in the Army.  (It was ticket No. 5687 on the Vista-Dome North Coast Limited.) Traveling along a track back and forth across the country and through time itself, the Stracener Dantzic Union Express is emblematic of many things for us and we wanted to share some of them with you as we embark on a lifelong journey together.

This particular train's route takes us to the Northwest, a region of the country that holds particular significance for us.  We met in Juneau, Alaska in 1994 where David clerked for the Alaskan Supreme Court and Martha worked as an advocate for people for disabilities. Later Martha moved to Portland, another city that is close to our hearts.  Not only is Portland home to a thriving Old Time and traditional music scene, numerous friends and too many great restaurants to name (all some our favorite things), but it is a city that is a model for community self reliance and local economics. We have sought to incorporate both of these ideals throughout the weekend by turning to our friends for help wherever possible, by working with smaller merchants and service providers when it was not, and by creating an event that will give all of the members of our community an opportunity to come to know what we appreciate about each one of you.

A few examples:

• The music you will hear throughout the weekend is all being played by friends and family who exemplify the diverse range of acoustic music that we favor.
• Our "Shalom, Y'all" barbecue gets its name from a welcome mat that sits outside our new home on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  It will feature brisket and fried chicken, bringing together some of the best traditional favorites that our respective heritages have to offer, cooked by Josh Scofield, a local chef and friend.
• Jewelry being worn by the bridal party is made by Martha's dear friend (and David's biggest asset in DC), Leah Sturgis.
• We worked with Egg Press, a locally-owned print shop in Portland to produce finely crafted invitations on an antique 'letter press' printer.  (David's father, a printer by trade who saw his design work as art, would have been proud).

Traveling by train lets the rider settle back and enjoy the scenery to the rhythmic rocking of the rail car.  It is a period of calm that encourages contemplation and the pleasure of company.  In a life that is sometimes lived at jet speed, a train trip lets the rider see the community through which the engine travels.  We hope that the weekend is a similar journey and we look forward to sharing the trip with all of you.

All aboard, that's coming aboard, the Stracener Dantzic Union Express is leaving the station. Thanks for sharing the ride of our lives.