The weekend was filled with fun, romance and adventure. It's no wonder I fell into bed at 11:00 last night and slept like a rock til 9. I'm exhausted!
It all began Saturday with our trip to a college town about 60 miles south to witness the wedding of our niece Mary to her sweetheart, Cole. They had just graduated from said college earlier in the month and now were gittin' hitched right there where they met.
As with all big family weddings, it was a great opportunity for all branches of the family to gather and touch base, which we really love to do. I know the world is full of families who don't like each other and don't get along but we don't happen to be one of those. Jay grew up close to all his cousins and nothing has changed now that we're in middle age except that there are a lot more of them (including me.)
The bride is a member of the the C.Clan, which began as four brothers. Now there are also three sisters and a brother in law, and eight cousins, all of whom are growing up close and happy, like Jay's generation did. It's awesome.
The bride was gorgeous in a strapless ivory dress with a train and crystal beading. The bridesmaids wore a dark periwinkle blue and although all the dresses were the same fabric and length (just above the knee) and were sleeveless, from there they all differed. One had a halter top, one a v-neck, one a scoop neck, etc. Each b-maid was able to choose a style that flattered her. The men wore silvery gray tuxes and the flowers were fuscia, bright orange and blue. It was really beautiful.
The ceremony was in the afternoon, followed by a refreshment hour out under the trees and then a sit down dinner and dance inside. I was comfortable in my lightweight summer dress but the men in their suits were wilting in the hot, humid weather even in the shade under the trees. Everyone was relieved when it was time to move inside for dinner.
The cousins took up three tables off to the side and dinner was filled with instances of one table full leaping to their feet and raising their glasses towards the others and yelling "To THOSE guys!" and the other tables would jump up and return the toast, yelling "To YOU guys!"
It wasn't poetic but it was more in our style.
I also found out that
Bryn, the cousin who authors fantasy novels, has a new one coming out this summer. I look forward to that, as I thoroughly enjoyed the three of her books that I've read. She writes under the name Marie Brennan and if you like fantasy (witches, faeries, fighting, etc.) check her out. Her books are well researched, original, well written, historically accurate and tons of fun.
Jay and I didn't stick around for dancing. I had a big morning coming up so we left just before they cleared away the tables for the dance floor. Also, the sky had turned an alarming color and as we'd had a biblical storm the night before, we didn't want to chance getting caught in anything.
We thought we were so clever, leaving just ahead of the storm. Turns out, we left just in time to drive all the way home IN THE HEART OF IT.
Ten minutes after we left the reception, the sky opened it's black, evil maw and began vomiting all over us. It rained so hard we couldn't see. We pulled off the road three times but the hysterical weathermen on the radio kept telling us that the stretch of road we'd driven over ten minutes ago was now under 2 feet of water, so we kept soldiering on lest the flood catch us and sweep us away. The weathermen also told us that the pitch black sky directly over head was rotating in a seriously threatening manner and their advice was to "GET OFF THE ROAD. DO
NOT BE OUT IN THIS! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU IDIOTS, DON'T YOU HAVE THE SENSE TO GET OUT OF THE DELUGE?? TAKE COVER, NOW."
Well, we couldn't, so quit bitchin' at us!
Zack and Josie were at home and worried about us, as the weather maps on tv showed them that our entire route home was littered with twisters. They each called us a couple of times.
I told them "We're fine. We won't be home for a while since we can't go very fast; visibility is bad. Don't worry. Close the porch windows if it starts to rain."
I hung up and turned to Jay and said "OHMYGOD IS THE ROAD FLOODED OUT AHEAD? IS THAT A TREE???"
And he answered "IDON'TKNOW; I CAN'T SEE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS!!!"
We made it home in only three hours and collapsed into bed, emotionally drained and happy to be alive.
In the morning, my Mom came over and we picked up Katie and we three drove to Souix Falls, SD for a bridal shower.
