A year ago today, Sam suited up in his fanciest duds ever and served as a ring bearer in Jacquie and Brent's wedding. He, Carter and Anabel made terrific attendants, adding just the right cute factor without doing anything overshadowingly worthy of America's Funniest Home Videos. Well, Carter split his chin open on the hotel's waterslide stairway a few hours before the ceremony, and hospital staff had to be pleaded with to sneak his stitches in promptly without angering the sick-and-injured droves in the waiting room and without Tracey fainting... but that all happened out of sight of the guests.
The wedding itself was a lovely affair, held in a beautiful white wooden church... and that's on account of Hurricane Juan bearing down on the Atlantic, which made t
he move to the indoor venue seem wise. Stitches and a hurricane—there was little chance of Sam, even at his most theatrical, stealing the bride's (or the storm's) thunder! The week's run-up to the Big Day was filled with the this and that and the other thing of prepping for a wedding. The boys helped to make sugar cookies for the post-ceremony tea, but for the most part they simply steered clear of the grown-ups and their To Do lists, opting for such things as coating themselves head to foot in red clay and running down hills with sticks. We were happy they were happy.
he move to the indoor venue seem wise. Stitches and a hurricane—there was little chance of Sam, even at his most theatrical, stealing the bride's (or the storm's) thunder! The week's run-up to the Big Day was filled with the this and that and the other thing of prepping for a wedding. The boys helped to make sugar cookies for the post-ceremony tea, but for the most part they simply steered clear of the grown-ups and their To Do lists, opting for such things as coating themselves head to foot in red clay and running down hills with sticks. We were happy they were happy. At the wed
ding rehearsal, however, the boys paid careful attention to their important roles. Without the rings, the whole thing was moot, really. They practiced their ceremonial walk, learned where to stand, got a feel for what kind of attention they'd get. "What if I forget what to do?" Sam worried. "Just carry that box up the aisle," I answered. "Brent will reach for it when you get close." As it turns out, the reverand reached for it and Sam shot a quick, terrified look over his shoulder, searching for me in the pews. Someone must have given him a smiling "all clear" before he spotted me, because he visibly relaxed and then paid as much attention to the ceremony as he could. The stained glass windows were a real attention grabber. All the while, however, he kept the same expression on his face: a comically-subdued happiness, as though a full blown smile would be inappropriate while people were talking about love being patient and kind.
ding rehearsal, however, the boys paid careful attention to their important roles. Without the rings, the whole thing was moot, really. They practiced their ceremonial walk, learned where to stand, got a feel for what kind of attention they'd get. "What if I forget what to do?" Sam worried. "Just carry that box up the aisle," I answered. "Brent will reach for it when you get close." As it turns out, the reverand reached for it and Sam shot a quick, terrified look over his shoulder, searching for me in the pews. Someone must have given him a smiling "all clear" before he spotted me, because he visibly relaxed and then paid as much attention to the ceremony as he could. The stained glass windows were a real attention grabber. All the while, however, he kept the same expression on his face: a comically-subdued happiness, as though a full blown smile would be inappropriate while people were talking about love being patient and kind. The reception was a huge hit! After a delicious buffet dinner (an
d does it get any better than 25 feet of pick-and-choose yummies?) the tables were shuffled aside and the DJ got spinning. It took some of the guests a few warm-up songs before they hit the dance floor, but the 5-and-under set got their groove on right from the get-go. It was hilarious watching their musical interpretations—somehow channeling the breakdancing and robotic stylings of their mothers' youth. Hilarious. 22-month old Anabel's ruby red slippers and helium balloon tied to the wrist gave her wings to run the length of the hall and back until midnight. I zoomed in too far for this "between dances" close-up, but I had to include it—for Sam's arm slung over Carter's chair, for Carter's loosened tie...
d does it get any better than 25 feet of pick-and-choose yummies?) the tables were shuffled aside and the DJ got spinning. It took some of the guests a few warm-up songs before they hit the dance floor, but the 5-and-under set got their groove on right from the get-go. It was hilarious watching their musical interpretations—somehow channeling the breakdancing and robotic stylings of their mothers' youth. Hilarious. 22-month old Anabel's ruby red slippers and helium balloon tied to the wrist gave her wings to run the length of the hall and back until midnight. I zoomed in too far for this "between dances" close-up, but I had to include it—for Sam's arm slung over Carter's chair, for Carter's loosened tie...Of course, I can't blog about Jacquie's wedding on the date of her 1st anniversary without including a shot of the ceremony. My camera caught much first-pew and wedding party action and bald spots, but it also records the last moment's of Jake's (Babe's!) single life. We're so happy to have been part of this special occasion. Thank you, Jacq, for including Sam: it really meant the world to him.
