This has been a year of music making like no other.  Oh sure, some of the highlights include performing with the top tribute Led Zepplin band, being featured on Channel 7’s Wedding Special, pre-game entertainer for the Chicago Bulls and over 200 other engagements.  What I would like to post today is about a special performance.  It brings to mind the saying, “I use to think that forever was a long time and now it doesn’t seem long enough” 

I was asked to perform for a Persian wedding ceremony for a young couple in love on Monday, October 11th at the Peggy Notebaert Museum.  The music selection process takes place with the bride and groom at least 2-4 weeks ahead of time.  This wedding was different – the groom, Nick Schmidt, was in and out of the hospital for cancer treatments, so there just wasn’t time.  “Just play Behar’s Persian wedding processional, “Mobarak Baad”.  Nothing else seemed to matter other than they had one more day together.   Nick passed away on Wednesday, December 1st.  I have performed for thousands of weddings and this one will live in my heart forever.   

My wish upon this wedding is for all of us to be inspired by Behar and Nick’s beautiful love story.