The Lover's Waltz
Listener Submission: Most Meaningful Wedding Music Story

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Early one morning last spring, Jim Ed Poole shared Jay Ungar and Molly Mason's "The Lover's Waltz" with The Morning Show listeners. I was struck by the simple melody—earthy and sweet. It seemed just right for our upcoming wedding. I quickly purchased the sheet music and later that week, a friend played a gorgeous piano version of it so my fiancé could hear it. He was similarly struck by the piece and we agreed it would be the extent of our "wedding music."

My parents drove all the way from Washington State to Minnesota to share in our celebration, and the evening they arrived, I was so excited about our single wedding tune, I played a CD recording for them. For the first time ever (in 35 years of marriage), I saw my parents get up and dance. It was a tender, engaging moment. My future husband and I joined in, swaying to the music. It was getting on dusk, and the windows were full of a cool spring breeze. The night was quiet except for that serenading violin and piano, and the sound of my parents softly laughing. Already, this piece was going to bring back rich memories for me, and it hadn't even been played at my wedding yet!

My husband and I had planned a very simple wedding; 31 people attended (including the pastor and organist). We were married where we met seven years prior, at Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, Michigan. Our ceremony was simple and true, and hearing "The Lover's Waltz" grace our ears on the day we were united was as right as rain. Thank you Jim Ed Poole and MPR! Our wedding just wouldn't have been the same, and I most certainly don't think I would have ever seen my parents dance!

April Jones
Rochester, MN