Memories: A "wedding lovely" tribute to Representative Elijah Cummings

A "Let's Write" memory essay published in Know Your Value.

Usually, a wedding article brings out the best attributes for the bride and groom.  This "Let's Write" article is another creative point of view.  In this essay, the author Mika Brzezinski, who happened to be the bride, writes a loving tribute to the man chosen to officiat her marriage to Joe Scarborough.  Nice. 

Remembering Elijah Cummings: Why Joe and I asked him to officiate our wedding

Rep. Cummings' words at Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough's wedding left a lasting impression.

"Go out there, and create wonderful memories. Because one day, that’s all you will have. The memories,” said Cummings.

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski were married at the National Archives in Washington in November 2018. The ceremony was officiated by Rep. Elijah Cummings. Miller Hawkins

By Mika Brzezinski
Joe and I wanted our wedding to be small and private. The setting needed to be connected to who we are and how we came to this place in our lives.

We picked the National Archives in Washington, D.C., believing that it would be the most fitting place to celebrate our most important moment together.

When we were trying to decide who would marry us, the process became a bit more difficult. The person needed to match the moment, understand the context, and most importantly, be a unifying presence for our children.

It was not long before we all seemed to simultaneously arrive at Elijah’s name as the answer to this daunting question. We knew that if we could be so lucky to have him officiate our wedding, it would be beautiful, meaningful and genuine. Elijah made sure that it was.

Most have heard the story about how Donald Trump offered to marry us. Trump became especially bold about the offer after hearing his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, make the same offer in jest. Over lunch at the White House, Trump bombastically said to Jared, “Why would they want YOU to marry them; I’m the president!”

The relationship with Donald Trump continued to deteriorate, but that’s a story for another time. In light of Elijah’s passing this morning, I feel moved to note the sharp contrast between the president and Baltimore’s congressman. 

Joe and I have known Elijah for years, and we have always loved him. He was always a picture of kindness, empathy, compassion, grace, dignity and love. That example was shown through his remarkable record of public service and an innate ability to reach out to those with whom he disagreed.

Elijah saw the humanity in every person who crossed his path. You could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. Whether I was watching him on television, chatting privately with Joe in the halls of Congress, or listening to him to speak at our wedding dinner, I was always moved to be a better person by what he said.

Which brings us back to our wedding. Elijah discovered at the last minute that no toasts would be made at the wedding dinner other than his. We explained that we wanted the evening to be about making the kids comfortable and expressed our concern that endless toasts would seem tiresome and forced.

I’ll share just a small portion of what he said.

“And to the children I want to say to you as one who has six brothers and sisters. Believe me ... As you get older and older, you value your brothers and sisters more and more ... for they are the people who will be there with you when you go through difficulties ... they are the ones who will cry with you at difficult times. To Joe and Mika, we thank you for bringing us together. Go out there and create wonderful memories." 

"Because one day, that’s all you will have. The memories.”