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Calm, eerily calm. That is the only way to explain how I felt on our drive to Charleston for Matthew and Kathleen’s wedding. Maybe it’s the fact that I had made the list, checked it twice, torn up the list, remade the list and checked it again. Yep, all the ducks appear to be in a row. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the by-product of having three weddings in 15 months. All of the Allen children have gotten engaged and married in the past two years. David and I have worried about monsoon rain and cold in Florida the day before Jess’ wedding only to wake up and find a glorious day awaiting the wedding festivities. We have flown across the country during a Government shutdown with no venue for Christi’s wedding only for the Governor of Utah to fund the state park system at the last minute so that the wedding went off in the Arches National Park without a hitch. David and I have run a gauntlet of emotions and frankly we have come out the other side happier and stronger (if not slightly poorer) people because of the experience.
David was the official officiate for Matt and Kathleen. He was honored and terrified when the kids asked him if he would perform their service. He spent months perfecting just the right amount of reverence and humor for the ceremony. One of the unintended perks of living with Dave’s father who has Alzheimer’s is that on their daily walk, David was able to try out his various versions of his ceremony. Dad was the perfect audience. He never got bored and said he had heard that part before and he if he laughed David knew he was truly humorous.
Sitting at the end of the pier that jutted out into the Charleston Harbour watching as the man I love most in the world walked our son through the vows of his marriage, I realized, not for the first time mind you, that am truly the luckiest woman in the world. After months of planning and picking; picking the perfect engagement ring; picking the perfect dress; picking the most beautiful bridesmaids dresses; picking a perfect venue; picking the most beautiful flowers; I knew that there was one perfect pick of the whole event and that was when Matt picked Kathleen to be his wife.
Now Dave and I have the honor to sit back and watch the “Happily Ever After!”
Mr. and Mrs. Allen
