First one down

My nephew got married. My little brother's son. The firstborn grandchild in our immediate family. The kid who would carry on the paternal name. Now a married man traveling Europe on his honeymoon. How is that even possible?

The wedding was in some tiny town in Ohio at a venue they'd found through their search of a photographer. While it didn't make it easy for out-of-towners, I could see why they chose it. In the middle of the countryside, among rolling hills and winding roads, the place looked like an Irish castle. It came with a four-room bridal cottage that the parents and couple got to use, and the venue provided anything and everything anyone could want.

My girls were so excited to make this trip for their first wedding. Or at least the first wedding they remember since Madison was one year old at her first wedding. To get us there, we flew into and out of various airports, including Detroit, Indianapolis, and South Bend. We made these arrangements in June, and it took about three hours to get everything and everyone to this wedding.

Then Hurricane Florence threatened to descend on North Carolina and mess with our plans. After a few tense freak-out episodes, Madison left school two days earlier on Southwest Airlines to Indianapolis, where my cousin Jaimee housed her for the night and then drove her to South Bend. Love you, Jaimee!

She arrived before I did. Whew. Crisis averted. It gave her time with her cousins. Oh, and her mother. We spent two beautiful days reconnecting and having substantial family time that included eating, putt-putt, eating, card playing, coffee shops, and more eating. That family can undoubtedly eat.

We got to be a part of the scurrying around the day before the wedding. There was trying on tuxedos...

...and the shopping for a reception item that was necessary. Those of us that have been there, done that in terms of necessary wedding/reception items rolled our eyes, but followed along, working hard to locate a holder for the sparklers used to send the couple off on to their life together. Apparently, rice is no longer considered suitable for the environment. Not sure how running beneath fire is a good idea, but again, I was trying to shut my inner Connie and "go with the flow." 

Some of us took the finding the holder more seriously than others...

Friday, we traveled to Ohio with a stop along the way for lunch at a Subway. Madison left her purse in the bathroom of Subway and didn't discover that fact until we got to the venue. A quick phone call to my nephew and his future wife, who were still near the restaurant, resulted in getting back the purse. Not only had the employees found the bag, but they'd located her Facebook account, sending her a message through it. They insisted that my nephew Facetime her so that they could make sure Madison matched her driver's license photo and that she approved the bearded man asking about her purse. Shoutout to those Subway employees!! That's a bunch of kids who will lead in the future.

Darcy and Tom flew in, and we enjoyed a delicious rehearsal dinner before heading down to the grotto for the rehearsal of the wedding. The bride's cousin ran the ceremony and kept everyone in stitches with her humor. She asked for a volunteer to play the bride's grandmother, who wasn't at rehearsal, and I stepped forward. I asked several questions to get into the role, and from then on, I was referred to by the cousin as "Pretend Sherry." 

We ended the evening by hunting down my Aunt and her family, who arrived later that evening. The next morning we played cards at the hotel and caught up with one another. More family arrived, and with them, more shenanigans. By the time the wedding rolled around, we were quite ready to continue the family fun fest.

We had some moments with the groom before the service.

The venue was beautiful, and the day not as hot as we feared. The ceremony was moving with a LOT of tears and Kleenex, which, if you know the Mason family, is one of our signature items, and was very fitting. Phones were not allowed. We were to be present in the moment, so I have zero photos of the actual wedding.

The reception rocked. There was booze. And food. There was dancing, speeches, cake, and a lot of laughter.  

Sunday, my family flew the coop, and I drove back to South Bend. I spent a couple of days with the newly married couple before we drove them to the airport to head off to their honeymoon. I thought a lot about my mom as I watched them depart. That kid was the sun to her moon, and I hope that the vast universe and its mysteries allowed her to see him off.

Congratulations to my nephew Austin and his new wife, Kendra. We look forward to hearing the stories about life as a married couple navigating the showbiz world and whatever else is in store. Love you both!