August 24, 2011 was the date of our 20th wedding anniversary. However, we were not married in the Catholic Church back in 1991. We finally remedied that on August 23, 2011. Doug had been through RCIA, and in all other areas, we and our children were up-to-date in the Church. It was time to have our marriage blessed and recognized. I've got to say, that leading up to this, we treated this like no big deal - just something to check off our list. We hardly talked to others about it. The priest said it could be done during Sunday morning Mass (no way!) or simply in his office - so long as we had 2 witnesses. So we reserved the date, got the appropriate paperwork submitted, and then about 9 days before the date, it suddenly dawned on us that this was going to be a bigger deal than we thought. It was to be an actual wedding ceremony with readings and everything but the Eucharistic Liturgy. I think our good relationship with the priest precipitated this - like he wanted to do it like this for us rather than a quick prayer, some holy water thrown on us and our rings, and a few signatures in his office. If we'd realized that earlier, we would have notified more people. My mother bought a very expensive plane ticket due to our late notice, just to be here for this because she never misses a sacrament. Then our friends starting running with this and getting excited for us! Our witnesses Sherry and John (really the matron of honor and best man!) encouraged us to invite all of our local friends and took my girls to get their nails done for the special day. My good friend, Pam who made a living doing this before kids, made us a beautiful and delicious wedding cake. So we invited everyone back to our home that evening after the ceremony for dessert and drinks.
Oh, did I mention that there was an earthquake that day? It was in Virginia but we felt it here! What a day!
Nikki and Caroline were so excited to attend our wedding. They got to read the Petitions of Faith and did a fine job. My mother, and Sherry did the two readings. Father Jim officiated and since we couldn't afford a musician, he treated us to a beautiful marriage blessing sung while he accompanied himself on the piano. At the end, he even ran over to the organ and played the wedding recessional!
I regret not putting more emphasis on this earlier and realizing what this really was until the end, so that there would have been time for others more far away to react. It truly felt like it just snowballed quickly in the last few days. I wish someone would have taken video of the ceremony. At least we have these pictures!
Nikki in rollers beforehand
Poor kid, though she looked beautiful (when not hamming for the camera!) her hair just WON'T hold a curl!
My mother doing the first reading
Sherry doing the second reading
Nikki doing her petitions, seen between us.
Thank you, Pam, for this delicious and beautiful yellow cake with bananas and strawberries between the layers!
As is ALWAYS the case, we never think to take a picture of us as a family when all are dressed up! Kaitlin changed as soon as we got back to the house, and Nicole changed soon after so that she could play outside with the kids. At least Caroline stayed in her dress.
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