The wedding day had finally arrived and the plan was in motion. Set just before Christmas, the rehearsal brunch was taking place on December 21 at the Tavern on the Wharf in Plymouth, Massachusetts. As the brunch was happening, something strange began to occur. The groom’s now-husband Michienzie was in on the plan all along, helping execute the surprise, so he knew what was about to happen. Joe Landis, the groom, noticed that everyone was holding video cameras and was confused by what was going on. Then, the first student entered, and he began to understand.
The students all came in together and began to sing “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles. This was a serenade for Joe and Michienzie that celebrated their love. The students had planned this surprise to show their teacher their support for his big day, and it was the best way possible to do so. At that moment, Joe realized that his relationship was worthy of celebration, not judgment. He had nothing to fear, and all of his students and their families supported him and his marriage to Michienzie. Joe expressed, “I felt like when the kids came to sing they were basically saying, ‘It’s OK. We know who Joe is.’ So now I say, ‘Joe, my husband.'”
The gesture visibly moved Joe. Michienzie stated, “I still get choked up watching it.” The video was recorded by a bartender at the rehearsal brunch location and was uploaded onto Facebook, which created a wave of positive attention.
“I was flabbergasted by how much they cared,” Joe expressed. “As a middle-school teacher, I see students struggling so much with trying to figure out who they are,” he said, adding, “Some of the students singing have inner struggles, and things I know about going on at home. I was so glad they were there, feeling the love in the room and knowing everything’s going to be OK, that things do work out.”
Joe had always aimed to create a safe space for his students in his classroom. Seeing his students show him the same thing in return was a heartwarming gesture that he appreciated. Teachers are some of the most impactful people we come across in our lives. Joe Landis is the type of teacher that students will remember for the rest of their lives, just as he will never forget the students who made his wedding so memorable. The students who planned the surprise showed everyone who watches the video that love is all we need.
