Nurse Bride in a Pandemic.

Coronavirus came to the U.S. in January 2020. It seemed casual, you know, just another thing for everyone to bitch about on facebook. I am a nurse in a pediatric ICU and it seemed that day by day I heard more about this virus, the began to understand how serious it was.

The emails began to flood in:

“Critically low supply of N95s”

“Must reuse disposable gowns”

“Must wear goggles/face shield”

Fuck. That escalated quickly.

But it wasn’t until March/April that we were ordered to stay in our homes. Being a nurse, I was so jazzed about this because I could see the impact it was making on the hospital. I didn’t even think it would affect my wedding.. that was in AUGUST. Oh but it did. From guest restrictions, closures, finances, etc., we were ready to say “fuck it” and just head to the court house.

But we held on and celebrated when Governor Tim Walz lifted the stay at home order and began to reopen our economy.

Then George Floyd was killed. And thousands of Minnesotans congregated in the name of “Black Lives Matter” to shine one of history’s brightest lights on the harsh reality of systemic racism.

Then the COVID numbers began to spike again. And mask mandates were popping up in almost all of our local businesses. Then, on July 22nd, 24 days before my wedding, Governor Walz issued a state-wide mask mandate. A mask must be worn in any indoor public area.

I don’t care how selfish it sounds, I was fucking pissed. It’s like I had my ICU nurse self on one shoulder, and my August bride self on the other. It good to keep people safe so we can reopen as soon as possible. It’s good that people will be protected. But who am I kidding, what about when I’m standing at the altar.. what about our wedding photos.. our first dance..

Heres where I am now.