Father of the Bride Revisited

Saturday, June 19th, 2010.  Great weather.  No rain today.  High 70's.  Sun.  Perfect!
4 hours sleep last night.  Thinking about today's big day.
9:30 am.  Sure, I'll deliver the wooden wedding card box and place card hangers to the hotel.
10:30 am.  Yep, I can drive Anna to her hotel to drop off the car.
11:45 am.  No problem picking up munchies and dropping them off at church.
12:05 pm.  Okay.  I'm bringing Holly and Kylie from hotel to church.  While you dress at church.
12.20 pm.  Missions accomplished.  Driving home to change into my tux.
12:55 pm .  Driving myself to church.  Don’t fail me truck.
Close enough now.  Can run the remainder if needed.

1:05 pm.  Made it!  Taking an easy side door entrance.

1:15 pm.  Standing in the outer hall.  Seeing relatives mill in.
Hi friend. Yep, bathroom is right over there.  Oh, doing good.  How about you?
Idle time.  No belt on my tux.  There will be less security today.

1:30 pm.  I hear singing from the front of church.  We're on our way.
Cool!  Here's Kate exiting the church bridal room with Rosie. 
A clean lined, straight, soft flowing wedding gown.  On my beaming Kate.
Need to hide in the hallway.  Let Jeff get all the way up to the alter first.

1:35 pm.  Kylie and Madison, flower girls, take off.  
Following the maid of honor Holly and best man Shawn.
Let's go Kate.
No.  Wait a little longer Dad.  It’s MY day you know, hee, hee.

1:40 pm.  Kate, Rosie, and I start our entrance.  Rosie splits off to round the baptizing fountain.
Secure my left arm around Kate’s.  Watch her train.
Keep the arm down.   Flowers need to stay low I was told.  My arm is there somewhere...
Happy church guests.   Wide-eyed and all smiles focused on Kate and Jeff.
Kate's face turns to overwhelming surprise.  Eyes burst out a cry.  This is not a dream!

Time to tease.  Where’s my lip balm?  Who’s got Tums?
My diversion.  Kate laughs.  Well done, Bern.
She's back to tears (Maybe we all are).  Then smiling, grinning again, for the remainder.
Keep a steady walk.  One straight route up the aisle now.

Hold up a little for Rosie to rejoin.
She's finished rounding the baptizing fountain.
One three-some again.  We are in a determined stride.
Cameras are flashing from all angles.  People still use flash, but the whole congregation?

Half way up the aisle.  Keep straight.  No bouncing.
Seems I have an upper lip twitch.  Doesn’t matter.
Front pew is getting closer.  Legs are still moving.
Pretty sure my shoes are still hitting the floor.

Father Mike came to get us?  Oh, I see.  We've made it to the front pew!
Drop the arm from Kate.  Hold it there. 
Wait for Jeff to get into position.  Rosie is first.  Then I hug Jeff.  Back away.  Pivot to my left.
Rosie goes first again.  Then me.  To hug and kiss Kate.  Real misty-eyed here.  Both of us.  Deep breath time.   Send her to Jeff.  Wait for her train to pass.  My last responsibility. 
She’s past.  Sigh.  Just sit down Bern.

Oh, good viewing from here.  Comfortable seat.  I'm sitting here with Rosie and Kylie.
The wedding party stands to left and right.  Gals on left, guys on right.  Fresh smiles on cute gals and handsomed-up guys.

Mothers Rosie and Pat light a remembrance candle up near center alter. Standing toward us.

Take over, Father Mike.
Adulations from you.  You're sharing what you know about our Kate and Jeff.
And complimenting our families for how we raised them.  So, our work is on display today.
Nice church-speak, Father Mike. This side of you I did not know yet.  I sense that you like doing weddings.

Mass started.  Kate’s smooth-as-they-get Madison teacher/student foursome is singing.
Over there sits her bubbly-teacher-friend Carmen from Eagle River, on the piano.

Star watching Kate and Jeff.  To see them burst into stary-faced stares when casual glances happen.
Laughing.  Twirling those hands- when one bumps the other.

Later now in the Mass.
Father Mike bids us all to greet each other.  Then a surprise from behind!  Rosie’s sister presses up against our pew to greet us first.  Spontaneity from her.
But I’m late making it out of pew.  Jeff’s parents are waiting.  Here we are!  Shake hands and hug.  Say hi to those around us.

Communion time.
The line walks by our pew.  Some brothers and sisters tap my shoulder.  Everyone heads to their pews.  We sit back.  What?  No throats are clearing?  Usually it happens at this time.

Father Mike stands down below the alter.
The wedding party forms at the alter in a jeweled semi circle. Facing us. This semi circle starts on top platform and rings down the 3 step alter to fan out below.

Father Mike begins to marry Kate and Jeff.
We do. We do. We do. I do. I do.
Wedding bands are put on fingers.   “Man and wife!”,  proclaims Father Mike.
A long kiss.  A silent cheer by Jeff.  Both hands are raised above his head.  His wait is over.
I know what you mean, Jeff.  You both waited a year more for Anna's Mike to come back from overseas.  And this past year, Kate needed medical treatment.  Some worry.  More wait.  Patience is a virtue.  And you both have it.

Almost finished with the service.  Kate and Jeff go giddy (again) with emotion.
One more center stage call by Father Mike.  Show off the bride and groom!  Father Mike claps to start the applause.  We join in.

Exits go in reverse order now.  Shouldn’t be too hard.
Outside again.  Forming a casual receiving line, just outside church.  The bride, the groom, and us parents.
No sun for now.  My squinty blue eyes will see everyone.

Very slowly you guests are stepping out of church.  Seems I'm first for the receiving.
Warm handshakes.  Easy small talk.
Hey Chicago, Oshkosh, Eagle River, Appleton, Neenah, Fox Valley, Manitowoc, Green Bay, Steven’s Point, Waukesha, and Madison.  Good to see you.  Thanks for coming.  Yeah, I'm doing great!

3:15 pm.  The patio is empty.  Back in church we go.
At the alter steps for photo taking.  Group photos.  Smile.  Snap.  Next.
Kylie and Madison, stop playing in the pews- so you can be in the photo taking.
Interesting somber faces from you two when camera takes photos.

3:45 pm.  We are done in church.  The wedding party trolley, bright, clean, and  red, takes off from the curb.

3.:55 pm.  Tidy up the pews.  Clean out the bridal room.   Empty those dress forms, hangers, and boxes.  All go to the truck and car.

After 4:00 pm.  Rosie and I travel home with truck and car.  We clean out our vehicles.  Check the house.

4:50 pm.  Off to the hall.  Oops.  Forgot a purse.  Back home again.
5:00 pm.  I said off to the hall.
5:15 pm.  Entering the hall.  Tables stand readied with china and silverware.
Lime green flowers adorn the tables.   Perched on high cylindrical vases. Very cool.
Let's see, hydrangeas, lilies, orchids, and more I cannot name.
There's Kate’s string group from Madison over by windows, playing in the still quiet hall.
More guests enter.   Oh, those large beer taps will be easy to see.  Think I’ll stick with this safe-for-me brew tonight.

6:15 pm.  The chairs/tables have filled.  The noise, a low roar.
6:25 pm.  The microphone is on.  We shift our eyes to the front doors.
Ushers/Son-in-laws Andrew and Mike are introduced, along with Kim, Kate’s personal attendant.
Thanks Kim for tying on our guy boutonnieres.
The Grand March starts as the wedding party enters one couple at a time.  Last to enter of course is Kate with her Jeff.

6:35 pm.  My brother Michael calls for prayer.
(I’m grateful you volunteered after Father Mike needed to cancel.)

Salads go round.  Steak and chicken form the main entree.
Granddaughter Kylie is tired out for now, and stretched over Holly's lap.
Wedding cake completes our dinner for desert.  Three distinct flavors Rosie points out.  I savor all three.
Then rise we do.  So we can visit the tables.  Our third time at this now.  But there are too many tables this time to visit all.

Son-in-law Andy starts his movie.  It’s a two screen event at this hall.
Photos from birth sail on through to their engagement and this last year.  Done with class, Andrew!
Ha, Ha.  Andy’s dog Copper has the last frame.  A dog wink to all.

The microphone turns on again. It is daughters Holly and Anna standing.
Their topic: Growing up at home. Smart and funny they are. Chiding Kate all the way.
Jeff’s buddy Shawn tells all about Jeff. A good friend for Jeff.

8:00 plus pm.  The DJ takes over for good.  Lights dim.
A dance for Kate and Jeff. I watch from a few tables removed.
Father of the Bride!  Can we get the Father of the Bride on the dance floor?
Dodging the tables I go, in the semi-darkened room, to Kate.
My dance with Kate!  And do let me say...
It does not get more complete when you dance with your daughter on her wedding day!
A dance for Jeff and his Mom.  Mother Pat’s tears are flowing.  Good job Jeff on picking this tune to surprise your mom.
Next dance is for us parents and the bride and groom.  Hand off from Rosie now.  Say hello to Jeff’s mom.
We finish up the dance and walk off the floor.

The lights lower more.  Are they off completely?  Music roars.  Oh, what did you say?  Can‘t see much.  Can‘t talk much.  But from what I make out, this is how it's supposed to work.

The talking folks are heading for the large outdoor patio.  Makes sense.
Rosie and I visit.  We try to stay together.  We know different couples, though.
People so much want to be here.  The pleasantries prove it.  Around the hall we go.
Hello again old neighbors.  Hi to Rosie’s Chicago cousins in hot conversation about their school system.  Hey friends.  Hi brothers and sisters on the patio.  A perfect night outside for you all this evening.
Hi scattered-around-the-dance floor nieces and nephew families.

Music lovers are close to the dance floor.
And the tap beer is still sitting well.
And now two DJ's plays on.  Very loud.  What?  What?
I see Kate!  Over there.  Oh, now over there.  Waving at each other from afar.

9:30 pm.  Some start heading home in small groups.
Not all travel far.  I heard a few dozen adjoining hotel rooms were taken.

10:00 pm.  More hors devours.  Nice touch Kate.  Your idea.
Can anyone see the food?  Someone pay the light bill here!  Oh just kidding. (not).

A song about puttin’ on sunglasses.  Anna has a pair out to dance around the floor with Holly.  Reminds me of her wedding 5 years ago.

12:00 pm.  The lights turn up bright.  Well, how did that DJ ever find his 12 o-clock watch?
I see Kate and Jeff’s friends are last off the dance floor.
Rosie, Holly, and I blink and gaze over the place.  Move our flowers for safe keeping.  Look at this lost cell phone.  No, not mine.

Time to wrap it up.  I give out tired hugs.  I say good night to Kate and Jeff.  Yep, see you tomorrow for the gift opening.  Home we go.  My legs are a dragging.  So ti-re-d.

About 1:00 am.  My head is stuffed into the pillows.  Exhaustion.  The Father of the Bride drifts off into sleep.  Thinking.  How time is still the great mystery.  Time agrees to take us where we want to be.  But does not stop for long once we get there.