There once was this guy that spied this chick and thought, “she’s cute.” He introduced himself and they shared a conversation. The chick liked the guy and their conversations grew to LUV. So, a baby, an apartment, a degree, a house and a second baby later… I received a call in the middle of the work day from this guy. The guy wanted to know if he could stop by and visit with me.
I being me (never calls me in the middle of the work day – what’s going on), ask if all is well or should I stop by the mall on my way home and pick up a taser? He said all was well and would explain that evening.
Him being him, he began with, “I really appreciate the way you all have taken me into the family…” and then asked if it would be okay if he asked my baby chick to marry him. It was so very sweet!
And (a baby, an apartment, a degree, a house and a second baby later) I gave my consent. He showed me the ring he picked out. The guy being him-self; decided that he could trust the four year old to keep his secret and showed her the ring as well. My grandbaby chick being her-self – told my chick everything she knew and then some (smile).
Finally the ring was offered and accepted. The second baby slowed the plans down a tiny bit (the girl was just sick) but eventually, things picked up and got moving. We went to look at gowns and I had to remind my chick to tell the dress lady she was very pregnant so the woman wouldn’t try and choke off her air with tight girdles and such (I believe she was six-seven months pregnant at the time).
I was looking forward to getting the ceremony behind us because the bride had begun to wear on my nerves. Don’t get me wrong, she was nothing like the Bridezilla’s seen on television – but she did have definite ideas of what she wanted, didn’t do a grand job of communicating that to those who would help.
I forged ahead with lighting fires to get the church secured and reception plans made - so “save the date cards” and the invitations/RSVP’s could be put in the mail (I confessed to my father – I didn’t want the day to be a hot mess so I was feeling some pressure too). With cost and low drama in mind, the couple determined each would have only one person stand with them.
As the date drew closer, I made some other moves (just trying to help move things along) to try and make sure the “day” would come together. The save the date cards, invitations and programs didn’t match in color – but I already had all we would need thus saving a bundle.
The bride, while not like the Bridezilla’s often seen on television, exuded a tenseness that shifted back and forth towards temper tantrums. She’d determined that she wanted to plan and execute the whole ceremony herself. No matter the number of times she was asked what needed to be done – she just kept saying, “I got it, I got it, I got it.”
Finally, at the bridal shower, the nonsense was cut through and a clean plan developed (she has a lovely set of friends that called her out on her slow-ful-ness). Last minute items were purchased, a photographer secured and a set up/tear down crew formed. But, trust me, we were still looking to make assignments a day or two before the nuptials (thank-you pianist and soloist – my brother/friend).
The day arrived and of course we were running late to the church. We had so much to do but all the plans fell into place. The sanctuary looked very nice. The groom, his best man (him’s baby brother), and the ring bearer (him’s nephew) looked fabulous in their white tuxedos. The flower girls (her baby cousins) had on very pretty dresses and actually dropped the petals on the floor as planned!
The bride’s maid looked lovely as did the mini brides’ maids (the couple’s daughters) in their mini bridal gowns. Even Grandma’s Punkin Stew was decked out in a little white satin tuxedo (okay – I admit it – I lost my sweet Stew so many times that day I should have been jailed! I finally had the good fortune to place him in the arms of my girlfriend’s mother – I knew she wouldn’t let him go and all his needs would be met).
The bride’s brother looked stellar in his black tuxedo. He was very serious about his role of giving the bride away and I was reminded of how serious he was a young child.
My sister/friend had to shew the Mary Kay lady away (we didn’t really want me to catch a case on such a fine day did we) from the bride and lots of folks put the girl in her gown.
My other sister/friend started the program off with the scripture; in came the Man of God with the Groom and the Groomsman; the doors opened at the back of the sanctuary and out came the handsome ring bearer – high stepping his way towards the alter; next came the little flower chicks with the mini brides and bride’s maid close behind.
It was time for the “Aunties” to roll out the carpet for the bride. The only thing was it wouldn’t unroll as it was designed to do – in the end – a very remarkable thing happened; everyone sitting at the end of a pew put a hand on it to assist with the rolling out.
The doors opened again and in came my baby chick, the bride with her serious baby brother. The minister began, (and got my baby chick’s name right which had been a point of concern for her brother the day before) and My Dust said the prayer, but before doing so, he remarked on the fact that everyone touched the carpet and everyone present was a resource for them as they moved forward in their life together.
The couple shared a serious kiss and was announced as man and wife. The groom heartily embraced his brother and smiled the biggest smile.
I really thought I would get a chance to cry a little but every time the events got so sweet to me I felt a tear coming on – the couple would start giggling and ruin the moment for me.
I did get a chance to dance with my father.
For weeks after this very sweet day, the little flower girls and the mini brides discussed the events of the day. The bride had given them all the chance to wear the veil and to wear the dress. I overheard one of these conversations. “…un-huh remember we were at the marriage.”
I like the way those little chicks think; “the marriage” sounds much better than a wedding.
Happy marriage anniversary!
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