Twenty years ago this morning, I was married. It was a Saturday, the Apple Cup game day, in the University District. I have vivid snapshots in my head. The George Winston Pachelbel Canon. Waiting and watching my sister carry the twins down the makeshift aisle along the windows in the church lounge. My dad escorting me toward Graham - and Gail. All the parents filling the front row, together for this day only. Holding hands and saying vows. Oblivious to the squawking of my young sisters just a few feet from us. And afterward. The hugs and well wishes, and so many pictures (or were they taken beforehand?). Just the "real" parents. Just the "current" marital arrangements. Everybody on one side, then everyone on the other. Friends, the wedding party, and some just with us.
The sweet reception at the in-law's home in Magnolia. With food I helped prepare the day before. The cake, though, was not mocha - could I really have been that bride who called the bakery on the day of my wedding to complain? Yes. All the people from the different parts of my life - camp, high school, college - I guess I didn't have that many parts back then. Grandparents, so proud. And my other sister with baby Whitney, just two weeks old. Amazingly beautiful - was she aware of the looks, the whispers? Most likely she was.
It was a great day. That says it, and also doesn't say it at all. It was lovely. Just what I wanted - especially if I ignored everything else that was sitting behind the smiles that day. It was simple, fun, "me". There wasn't much "us". I didn't know at the time how true that was, and how devastating that would become. It is so good that we don't know what will become of us.
Twenty years since. And it's a beautiful morning.
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1 comment:
Tara, I love this posting - very beautiful, and I could relate to that time in your life and mine as well. We had both only recently completed one part of our journeys and were looking to take our next steps into the unknown. As you know, I was off on my own, "twenty years ago" journey in October of 1989 and in some ways am still on that same journey -though the characters and scenery have changed over the years. Thanks for sharing this-I could retrace my steps a bit by following yours on this day and sensing that place between because you described it so well. Love your writing! Much love, peace and many blessings and, A Happy New Year! Greg
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