Sitting here in Greenville, South Carolina as preparations swirl around me for my sister-in-law's wedding. It got me to thinking about weddings, naturally. Weddings are that great combination of rite and ceremony, family reunion, college reunion, frat party, vacation and feast. Especially here in the South. We love weddings.
Our wedding was almost 24 years ago and it was a blast. I still had most of my hair and weighed about 100 pounds less than today, too skinny really, the stress can do that to you. Elizabeth looked just the same but even more radiant. I remember when she first appeared at the end of the aisle it took my breath away, as I'm sure most brides do to most husbands. When she got to me and her dad passed her off with glistening eyes I remember how beautiful and brown her eyes were and the line of her collarbone. I made the mistake of looking over at her parents during the ceremony and they were crying. That got ME crying and that got ELIZABETH crying. It was a chain reaction thing.
I don't remember the picture taking or how we got to the reception. The reception was at The Planters, an antebellum mansion that was, at that time, a terrific restaurant. Several folks never made it there due to a mistake in the directions I kidded my father in law about for years. It was a wonderful time. We were one of the first of our friends to get married so it was all new to us. We had spent an afternoon picking out the food carefully. I remember there were Coquilles Saint Jacques. But we didn't get to eat a bite of it. No time! We were too busy having fun and posing for pictures! We did get a to go box but fell asleep at the hotel before we got to eat any of it.
One of my most treasured memories is of Bob, my father in law. They were out of Champagne or something, basically the bar was closed, but Elizabeth wanted a drink. Bob was having none of it and turned and loudly said, "If the bride says the bar's open, the bar's open!" I have no idea what the suddenly open bar cost him but it showed me how much he loved this woman who was now my wife. We lost Bob several years ago and it saddens me he can't be here with us today but I know somewhere the bar is open and he's raising a glass to Katherine and Josh. Bar's open!
Speaking of Katherine, today's bride. She was our flower girl and was only 5. When the reception ended we hopped in the limo to drive away after braving the bird seed tossed by everyone. Katherine didn't really understand what was happening and when she was told we were leaving the poor thing must have thought it was forever. She burst into tears and kept reaching for Elizabeth who was soon bawling herself. Elizabeth cried all the way to our hotel. I'll never forget it. But here's to you Katherine and Josh, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. To quote the bard, "May a flock of blessings light upon thy back."
