Rosie's Ramblings # 1 Wedding Reflections

Spectacular, that's what the wedding was. My daughter, Andrea, was the most beautiful bride ever, in a dress that was simply remarkable. It took just shy of one year to put together what was a day and a night to remember. It started with Andrea's hair and makeup, then slipping into pure lacy elagance and becoming truly a vision. Photos at the house, beaming, smiling, full of hope and promise, and looking lovelier than she has ever looked. Off to church, meeting and greeting guests while she stayed cloistered, waiting. So many family members and friends came to witness the nuptials, and I felt blessed by this. The church was full as was my heart. Then the moment, arm in arm Andrea with her dad coming down the aisle, she looking so poised as her father gently led her to her new love, and he then stepped back to let her future husband lead her forward. When a wedding is being planned all the details seem to be about the reception, but the marriage takes place before the party and it is the real celebration. Thanks to Father Ron, and Andrea and Joe wanting a marriage, not just a wedding, the service was fulfilling and meaningful. There was a full Mass, good singing, traditional readings and vows, candle lighting and flowers to Mary, a real wedding, a true marriage and then on to the party! I was anxious to see the room. Andrea knew how she wanted it to look, we had orchestrated her vision with every small detail. We had chosen the venue based on its beauty, we had worked with the florist to create what was in Andrea's mind. She had selected her colors, the chairs and centerpieces to create an ambiance of elegance and grace. I entered the room, not yet opening its arms to people, just being there. It was perfect. It was my daughter's vision. It was absolutely beautiful. I knew she would be enamored by her surroundings and that the night would be exceptional. It was. It started with toasts that bore tribute to a solid union between two very much loved individuals who were now one. When Andrea and Joe took the floor for their first dance as man and wife, all knew this was right. When Andrea danced with her dad, well there is no purer love, no words to describe the feeling of holding on while letting go. And then the party began in earnest, thanks to Andrea's cousins who are just so fabulous! The cousin's dance was the icing on the cake, it just made an already perfect beginning to a memorable evening that much more special. Then the night flew by. We danced, we drank, we laughed, we hugged, we drank, we danced, we laughed. Family and friends together, celebrating a beginning. For Andrea, I believe it was a night that was a dream come true. Her vision of what she wanted her wedding to be became a reality. For me, well, it was just spectacular, like my daughter.

Rosemary