24 years ago today...

[jducoeur]

... it was beastly hot. She and I were both in long sleeves, of course, but somehow managed to get through the whole day without melting, despite both the ceremony and reception in un-air-conditioned halls.

The wedding was on the cheap by modern standards, although not too bad in the grand scheme of things. Her parents had given us $5000 to put towards the wedding and honeymoon -- we were both very clear that saving money towards the trip to Berkeley was a priority. Fortunately, we were both experienced autocrats by then, and used to working together, and by event standards that was more than enough budget. So we decided where our priorities were and put our money there. (Which mostly meant good flowers and a big cake from Rosie's, plus nice passed hors d'oevres.)

It was a pretty big affair by our standards at the time. We simply invited "everyone" -- open invite, but please RSVP -- and around 150 people came. The SCAdians far outnumbered the family, but that was both expected and fine: we were already deeply bound into Carolingia.

The ceremony was carefully mundane, but generally pretty. Afterwards, my grandmother asked why we hadn't done it in our nice costumes, occasioning a quiet "now you tell us that it would have been okay" between her and me.

Afterwards, Dad took all the relatives out to a nice dinner. She and I went home, unloaded all of the presents, carefully inventoried them and put together a notebook for the thank-you cards (because this was, after all, us), and went off to the friends-only party at Windsmeet. I don't remember many details, save that Kobi was assigned the important ninja task of making sure that her champagne glass was never empty.

I am, by and large, okay -- she's allowed me a new life that is proving to be rather crazy but rather wonderful, and I'm quite enjoying it. But today is definitely an occasion for some bittersweet reflection. Love you, dear...

Comments

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

I remember it well. Although I remember different parts than you...

I got engaged while shopping for your wedding present. I don't know if you knew that. :-) A picture of my ex catching the bouquet and then posing with it was in one of our wedding albums...

It was a lovely day. I don't recall it as being TOO warm, but lovely and sunny and very happy.

I suspect the statute of limitations has expired. I was part of the blue suit conspiracy that day, and yes: I am the person who put the obnoxious card in your car. Sorry about that (if you even remember).

[jducoeur]

I got engaged while shopping for your wedding present. I don't know if you knew that.

I did -- I seem to recall you mentioning it at the time.

A picture of my ex catching the bouquet and then posing with it was in one of our wedding albums...

Which of course reminds me of the failed first attempt with the bouquet.

I am the person who put the obnoxious card in your car. Sorry about that (if you even remember).

I confess, I totally don't remember the card. (And I suspect I simply assumed you were part of the conspiracy...)

[eclecticmagpie.livejournal.com]

I was sitting here trying to remember if this was one of the important events that I had missed or one of the important events that I had made it to, and then read *this* comment, and it all flashed into clarity -- in particular, Jane looking over her shoulder to make sure of her aim and then proving that girls *can* throw, when they really want to, as the other women got out of the way of what was clearly a targeted missile.

At least, that's how *I* remember it.

[jducoeur]

Ah, but IIRC that's the second half of the story. Jane was looking over her shoulder and aiming because the *first* attempt hit a rafter and fell splat in front of the crowd. (As I remember it: my memory is legendarily poor...)

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

You remember correctly. She threw high and long, and it hit a rafter just behind her, and fell directly to the floor. Much laughter ensued.

The second toss was practically a fastball to my then-fiance. :-)

I was watching from the balcony. It was a pretty good view.