Number Two Son got married in a lovely ceremony performed by Number Three Son. People offered me congratulations and I heard more than once “Only one more to marry off!” which always made me laugh. The boys have been on their own for 10+ years— so it’s not like they’re still in the house. We raised adults, not children in adult bodies.
The Ceremony was up in Salem which in October is a tourist destination— quite a place to be. I was honored to be asked to be Best Man and laughed when Number Three son read his sermon to the assembled folks and the bride and groom and it was almost word for word the speech I had prepped for my toast. Veronica was the only person who had heard my speech, and she caught my expression as line by line another theme I was covering came up.
As we walked from where the service was to where the reception was the woman who was organizing the whole thing came over to me and said I’d be going on earlier than expected— no worries— I have nothing prepared.
But I’ve done a lot of public speaking, some of it good, some of it skidding off the tracks and crashing into the woods leaving no survivors.
I was happy that I managed to pull something together that was well received.
It was a great wedding with some regrets. I regret that I didn’t grab the vintage copies of DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN the bride and groom had chosen as our centerpiece (the hotel staff was so quick cleaning up and I was engaged with the many friends who had come in from near and far- some 8,000 miles— I didn’t notice them take it) and I really really wanted another piece of that amazing cake.
Veronica, of course, stole the show, as she was the definition of grace and poise— and when she did a Step-Mother/Son dance there were few dry eyes gathered around the dance floor.
One single son left— as I said to his girlfriend who I truly adore— I have one more daughter spot open, and I’m rooting for you.