Quercus Virginianus

Quercus Virginianus, the Live Oak tree, is synonymous to the Deep South’s mystique as are Faulkner’s gothic novels.  Gothic, indeed, is the architecture of the trees: a circumference up to 35 feet, height up to 70 feet, limbs stretching outward more than 100 feet from the trunk, Spanish Moss tendrils hang to gather nutrients from the wind, rain and sunlight. 

A woodworker once told me that in South Carolina a law remains on the books that if two lovers stand beneath a Live Oak tree and exchange vows of their love, then the tree as their witness legally binds the marriage.  I cannot prove the fact, but certainly believe its core truth.  

Live Oak trees live up to one thousand years.  The story is told that in 1771, Étienne de Boré, on his estate which became Audubon Park in New Orleans, planted a Live Oak tree in honor of his bride.  At 35 feet in circumference the tree arguably could be closer to 300-years old, known as the “Tree of Life” although officially registered as the Etienne de Boré Oak.  Etienne de Boré became the first mayor of New Orleans in 1803. 

On 28 August 2004 I travelled to Audubon Park to stand beneath the Tree of Life with a soulful strong woman.  In true DIY fashion, we wrote our own vows.  A Notary Public friend officiated, his wife served as witness (Louisiana is less liberal than South Carolina, at least in terms of trees’ legal standing).  We were short one witness, technically, but a woman in black, a total stranger, silently walked up and touched the tree during our exchange of vows, so legally wed we were 28 August in the Tree of Life cathedral. 

My vows spoke of “alchemy and the daily renewal.”  The traditional “for better or worse” was a given, as I was then a co-defendant in a lawsuit concerning Trust Asset Management and fiduciary duty in United States Federal Court, Northern District of Illinois.  My betrothed stood beside me then, she stands beside me now. 

2004: on 30 July I was haled into Federal court, where District Judge Matthew Kennelley “granted in part and denied in part” a Summary Judgment on my behalf. My back was against the wall.  On 28 August with backs against the Tree of Life, my fiancé and I exchanged vows, and then rings.  Next we went to the drive-through daiquiri stand.  Later that night we marched in the Second Line of a mid-season Mardi Gras parade.  Viva la life of New Orleans!!

Back in Chicago, by autumn of 2004, the lawsuit was settled. The banker from Lichtenstein went to prison.  Our union endures. That alone matters.  

Twenty years later, we remain together in the light. We raise two bright beautiful children; our life’s work, to be sure.  Ours is a remarkable home amidst a wildly creative community, in a place of exquisite beauty, the rocky coast of Maine, on Gaia, circling the sun.  My wife holds our family’s center and some day our childrens’ children may say “My Grandfather married one strong soulful woman.”