On Nov. 30, 2013, Jim Balkowitsch and Bruce Allen were married at Langley United Methodist Church by Reverends Mary Boyd and Paul Morris. The church was decorated for the Christmas holiday and two baskets of Bird of Paradise flowers were placed at the altar.

More than 200 people attended the wedding. Jim wore black shorts with a white shirt, lavender vest and purple bow tie. Bruce was dressed in his Army dress blue uniform.

Music was provided by Cathy Hagen on the piano and Bill Humphreys on the viola. Bruce and Jim also asked a barbershop quartet from the mainland to sing during the ceremony. They graciously accepted and were a big hit.

The ceremony was moving with Bruce crying and Jim very stoic. Near the end of the ceremony, Bruce said the reason for his tears was that he never envisioned being able to get married in his lifetime. He said how thankful they were for having so many people be a part of their lives and for allowing them to be a part of theirs.

After the ceremony, Jennifer Morris, Paul’s wife, catered a large array of food finishing with a cake by JW Desserts and a handcrafted cake topper made by Val Heggenes gifted to Jim and Bruce by the Morrises.