The Wedding

Sometimes an event happens that brings out the best in everyone involved. Usually when you hear about that it is some horrible accident or storm, etc. This time it was a wedding that was so relaxed and joyful that I will treasure the memory of it.

Maybe there is something to be said for the order people follow these days...the living together and then the marriage. Steve and Robin have been living together for some while now and recently bought a house that is typical Chicago north side; three flours, litttle back yard that has three levels, one of t hem being a sun deck on the roof of the garage. Beautifully done baths and kitchen, hardwood floors, etc.

They wanted a small wedding at home, so they invited parents only. Now on Steve's side that means his Mom, Dad and Dad's three wives (two ex of course) and then Robin's parents. Barb (our pastor) and her husband made it 10 of us. All three Mrs. Dybedocks were warm and friendly and at hugging stage before the wine! After a tour of the house and munchies, the bride who had been in her levi's slipped upstairs to put on a dress and heels (no make up or fancy hairdo) and the groom put on h is tie and jacket while the rest of us settled down in the lower level garden/arbor where the ceremony was to take place. Many cameras present. Almost as many as parents.

Robin's dad walked her down the stairs and Barb started the ceremony. Maybe 10 minutes at the most and not very many dry eyes in the crowd, including the bride and groom. Then as with any wedding came the orgy of picture taking, multiple group poses; every combination of those present.

After a champagne toast and a few present openings we all went to one of their favorite restaurants where our table was reserved outdoors in the garden. Did I mention that the weather was perfect? Minor tension when it came to who was to sit where but Robin and Steve sat across from each other and Steve wanted me next to him which was very neat. Robin's mom Patsy was across from me and she is every bit as neat as Robin; felt like I had known her for ages.

We then had a wonderful meal, multiple bottles of wine, beautifully prepared and presented main courses and a decadent super chocolate dessert that Sandra had brought from a bakery in the neighborhood in place of a wedding cake.

When we all parted at the restaurant there was much hugging again between all parties.

It was a magical event that was full of love from everyone; we all knew that our kid had made a great choice and was obviously happy beyond belief.

Howard was a little tense going into it...who wouldn't be with a current and two ex wives there and he did the driving. He handled it all beautifully. I was a little apprehensive, but from the moment we arrived it was clear that we were experiencing something special.