We have three months

January started with a bang.

First, I got wired—for sleep.

I asked for it. Not because I think I have sleep apnea, but because I know my husband has it, and when I bring that up with him, his response is to tell me I snore. So, I figured if I did the test, maybe he would too?

I didn’t sleep.

It was one of those nights when I watched the clock, my mind roaring. Tom and the dog were restless. Our room was chilly. I finally succumbed at about 5:00, turning off my morning alarm.

Darcy woke me at 8:30 am.

Me: “What are you doing here?”

Darcy: “Why are you wearing oxygen? What happened? And why is it so cold in here? It’s FREEZING!”

Second came her news, delivered while we snuggled under the covers.

She and Oleg are getting married in April.

We have three months to plan a wedding.

That’s the last part.

We have three months to plan a wedding.

I’m already worn out.

There are color-coded spreadsheets. I’ve seen over a hundred websites, viewed the videos of their venue walk-throughs, and toured on my own in our county. I know so much about ceremonies and receptions that I’m contemplating turning our family farm into a wedding destination. It could be a family affair!

Whoever came up with this wedding nonsense never accompanied a bride-to-be from place to place, tasting food, and spending hours looking at chairs, tables, linens, and colored napkins. And we haven’t even gone dress shopping!

Funny enough, I did the same thing. We got engaged in December and were married in April.

I think. Maybe we waited a year, I don’t remember anymore. I barely remember the event itself! And we never glance at our photos except those on my living room wall. Those are great for a good laugh—the hairdos!

Still, it’s exciting. We’re having a wedding!

In three months!

Send well wishes and good vibes, and if any reader has ideas of venues, please forward them.

Quarantine day 202

My niece was married on Saturday. We weren't there. It was a personal choice, I've made my feelings known about large gatherings, flying, etc., but it didn't lessen the pain of not witnessing her special day. 

My family, my aunt in California, and my cousin and family in Boston zoomed so we could watch the wedding together virtually. We started early so we could catch up. I texted the bride and her parents, and when my brother responded, I cried. We have a saying at Christmas time when the family is together that is isn't Christmas until someone cries--it was usually my mother--and Jay made a reference to it, and the moment passed.

My husband wore a tie, brought rice in a plastic bag, and toasted with an empty champagne glass. The wedding went by in a flash. While we couldn't hear the bride and groom, we assumed they responded positively because no one in the audience fainted or had faces of horror, and the minister eventually pronounced them married.

We were all left with an empty void when the virtual moment went dark, knowing everyone was off to a party while we sat where we've been for the past two hundred days--at home. We gave ourselves that moment, then we laughed and talked some more before signing off. Madison watched the fifteen-minute ceremony again. Darcy went back to her homework, Tom worked out, and I thought about how quickly time flies.

One of these cherubs is married and currently on her honeymoon! 

My brother and his wife are definitely empty-nesters now. While we couldn't be there in person, we wish the happy couple all the best and welcome Noah to the family. He's spent several years being harassed by my brother, so there is no doubt he'll handle the new crew just fine.

Congrats guys! We love you and hope that someday we will be able to hug you both!

Here comes the bride

My friend, SueG's eldest son, is getting married. Funny enough, he swore that was never going to happen, and he now refuses to acknowledge how right we were back in those early relationship days when we told him he was wrong. Whatever. We're thrilled for him. While I don't know him like I do her other children, as this one was off to college by the time we met, I'm part of the family now and thus included in the wedding festivities.

Including dress shopping for the mother of the groom.

One of my favs...not.

But I've put on a brave face and have gotten in my steps going from one dress shop to the other in search of the perfect mother of the groom dress. I've taken countless photos, have texted back and forth with my SIL whose opinion on these matters way exceeds my expertise, and have encouraged the purchase of several dresses. By now, she has enough for several weddings, not to mention her son's in April.

A couple weeks ago, the bridal shower was held in Orlando. We made it a girls' weekend, got one of my Wyndhams, and had way too much giddy fun in purchasing presents. I had to remind SueG this was not the bachelorette party, but the woman has a mind of her own, and truthfully, her Spencers gifts were the hit of the party. The bride-to-be cried; she was laughing so hard.

She should've been with us shopping in the back room of Spencers.

I was assigned the job of the event photographer. Guess I'm more like my father in that hobby than I knew. I did what I'd seen him do back in the day. I toured the facility and took pictures of everything. I waited for the bride to be, who was blindfolded and made sure to capture that on digital too.

The afternoon was delightful. The full, open bar might have added to that, but the bridal party was full of great women, the families mingled nicely, the weather was great, and the food was delicious.

I got the bride and groom aprons since they enjoy cooking. His apron read, "Mr. Right," and her apron read, "Mrs. Always Right," and to go with the bibs, I got them a cookbook.

Okay, so maybe that trip to Spencers wore off on me. Or perhaps it was all the hours I spend on romance writing. Either way, SueG and I received compliments and thank yous from the bridal party who had been too timid, despite thinking along the same lines.

Maybe this will get us an invitation to the bachelorette party!

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!