I honestly did not intend to fall so far from my routine, but once our company left I came down with a killer sore throat and assorted head crap. It feels like I've been extra slow to recover. I was barely aware of the additional snow we received yesterday... or was it the day before? Bummer. I'd much rather be in a place to go out and slide down some hills... or build a snowman. Waaa!
But today is Saturday, and a significant Saturday, at that. It was 17 years ago today that the hubby and I got married. I'm not sure our start was all that indicative of what was to come. To begin, it was a very, very cold day. It was the kind of cold where people's vehicles wouldn't start simply because they were too cold ... I couldn't tell you the actual temperature, but I know a lot of family members on both sides didn't make it to the wedding.
I don't know that I can tell you that much about the wedding other than that. I'm smiling in all the pictures, but my memories of the day are pretty fuzzy. It seemed like every time I allowed myself to tune in, even just a little bit, there was just too much to be aware of that I couldn't quite cope with. I was probably hypersensitive to all that was going on. I had great family, great friends, and the scene and setting were fairy-tale like. It just wasn't quite as I had envisioned it. I'd wanted a relaxed, kicked back affair with all my friends and family and it felt like I'd more succeeded in offending half of them. Small meant not everyone got the role they'd hoped to play. Relaxed meant it was less formal than some expected, yet more formal than anything I'd envisioned. And I couldn't get past the feeling that people kept stealing glances at my belly, cause why else would someone like me get married so young? (Kiddo #1 came six years later -- I guess anyone who doubted me eventually figured it out.)
Honestly, I spent years cringing over the whole wedding affair. Maybe the years have finally softened me about it a bit. I've never managed to sit through the wedding video and I continue to hope that my own children do something wildly unexpected and so far from traditional for their own weddings that they never get bogged down with the kind of baggage I've managed to carry around about my own.
But the truth is that seventeen years ago I made a decision to marry my best friend, and that was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I can't take any credit for planning or even having half an idea of what I was getting into, but life with Rand has been pretty darned good, and I sure like the places we've gone together.
Rand and his brother, Derek
Derek was responsible for the condoms. He had every guest at our wedding give Rand a condom in the reception line. It was pretty funny as the pockets of Rand's tux started bulging with prophylactics. Even his grandmother and the preacher handed him one.
Me, with my cousin, Alene, and my Aunt Bonnie.
Our well decorated car -- you think shaving cream and oreos are hard to get off, try doing it in 15 degree weather!
Rand & Tracy, 17 years ago today
2 comments:
Happy Anniversary!!!
I still think the condoms were funny, but I do regret the pain inflicted by the bachelor party. No groom should be compelled to drink that much tequila. I hope your anniversary was marvelous.
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