I spent Wednesday night with my Grandparents and it stormed away all night long. In the morning we awakened to find that not only had the motor home leaked quite a bit more, but that each RV had its own private lake underneath. About mid-morning, my big brother called and wanted us to come over to the bride’s house to, (ostensibly) help load the U-Haul with the bride’s things. I think he really just wanted my grandparents to meet her! On our way, we encountered more flooding, nearly halfway –up the hubcaps in one part. But, once we reached the highway, things dried up a bit.
When we had almost reached the house, we came across a railroad track. There was no signage to indicate that it was an abnormal crossing, so we crossed at, well, what turned out to be an un-safe speed. My head hit the ceiling and the wheels left the ground as we bounced across!
After an hour of visiting or so, Mr. Livingston went to pick up the remaining members of my family at the airport, my grandparents returned to the RV Park, and I remained with my brothers and the bride’s brothers, and the bride, to help…I mean, watch them load the U-Haul. There were some struggles with a couch, but in the end, it all got done.
That evening, when my entire family had been united and the Livingston’s were all together, there was a lovely little party and then my sister and I went to stay with some of Sarah’s friend’s.
Friday, my family went to prepare for the rehearsal dinner, while the Livingston’s went to prepare for the rehearsal and wedding. I stayed at the Livingston’s with Hannah L. to make cakes and salad for the rehearsal dinner. It was then that I broke the Livingston’s sink. It remained broken for three days (when my mom fixed it). It also proceeded to spray everyone who turned on the faucet… (The sprayer was stuck.)
The rehearsal went fantastically that evening. The funniest thing that happened was one of the groomsmen’s remarks as he practiced guiding the bridesmaid’s down the aisle.
“So…I just walk to the center and they just…get on me?”
The rehearsal dinner went just as well with Pizza, Soda, cake, salad, and the sweetest and funniest toasts ever from the brother of the groom and the sister of the bride. My mom did a fabulous job of decorating, but sadly, I don’t think there are any pictures. (My cake was a hit too…but, ‘let another man praise me…’)
The next morning, my sister and I, (and her friend) went with Sarah and Hannah to the hair salon. The three of us watched the two of them get themselves all beautified (to the music of clicking cameras) and then we went to get lunch at Newk’s. (It was really tasty. They need some of those restaurants up here in the north!)
Then, we headed to the church where we hung out for a while, got into our dresses, and Sarah got some pictures with the groom around then too. Afterwards, the whole wedding party took pictures together for a long time and by the time it was over, it was time for the ceremony.
I was sure I wasn’t going to cry, but I did tear up a bit as Sarah came down the aisle. It was like I realized that this was my brother’s wedding!
Instead of a unity candle, they had a sand ceremony. I couldn’t see it, but it turned out pretty funny. Paul’s sand had gotten wet or something and was clumping. It wouldn’t come out! In the end, it did come out, but not till the last notes of the 5 minute (aprox.) special music had ended.
My dad gave a fabulous charge, even if he didn’t do it like Yosemite Sam (just watch some Bugs Bunny cartoons). And, now they’re married. :D
Mrs. Livingston and her crew did a stupendous job decorating for the reception. It was beautiful. (The food was good too) The bridesmaids came in through the Air Force Honor Guard, and the groomsmen dressed up like security guards. Then, we watched with bated breath as the bride and groom walked under the honor guard’s arch of swords. When they reached the end, one of the honor guards’s spanked the bride (an Air Force tradition…) and everything proceeded with ease and festivity.
The best man and one of the maids of honor did a toast, and then the bride and groom cut the bride’s cake. (There was a groom’s cake too…Southern tradition I think) They smeared the cake and got it all over the place and then the bride and her father danced and then they left. My brother carried Sarah to the car through a cloud of bubbles. It was beautiful and sweet and romantic.
Then, all the out of town guests, plus a few extra, headed over to the Livingston’s to unload cars, load presents into cars, and party.
At the party, which was fabulous (did I mention Southern hospitality yet? Ah, now I have) we heard some of the famous Cajun Thibodeaux and Boudreaux...They were pretty funny.
Then, we all went to our respective places for the night and in the morning, we went to church with the Livingston’s. A couple of the groomsmen also stayed for church. Then, we went home and crashed. I took another nap…:D My sister and I stayed at the Livingston’s that night, and the next morning, Mr. Livingston graciously took us and my parent’s to the New Orleans airport. My brothers were, and are, and did, repeat my trip with my grandparents…only backwards. They got stuck in that awful place, Deming, New Mexico, when the alternator broke, but now they’re safe in Phoenix and due to return home tomorrow. (They said they had fun in Deming…)
Oh, and the flight home was very long, but the sunset in Seattle was gorgeous as we flew in and I was absolutely thrilled to discover that I hadn’t missed spring and that our very kind friends where there to pick us up and said very kind friends also brought us dinner…very kindly. (Did I mention that Northern Hospitality exists too?)
And so, we have the end of the story! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Post to follow with Pictures later today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!
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