In honor of our anniversary, here’s a little wedding day story.
Today is the big day, he thought. It’s finally here. It’s a beautiful July day. The sun is shining. The air is warm. The birds are singing. Flowers are in bloom. It’s the perfect day for a wedding. I’ve had a hair cut, I’m rested, and I’m ready to go. Everything is taken care of. My wife-to-be has thought of everything. All I have to do is take one tiny box of things to the hall and we are ready to roll.
Tuxedo in hand, Eric headed out the door for the hall. He jumped in the car, put the key in the ignition and discovered… it wouldn’t start!
“Okay, don’t panic,” he told himself. “Your brothers are in the wedding. They have to be there the same time as you. Hopefully, they haven’t left yet.” He quickly dialed his cell phone. Brian answered and said that he would be there to pick him up in about 5 minutes. Thank goodness. Crisis averted. Eric sat there silent for a moment, breathing a sigh of relief. A few minutes later, his brother’s car pulled in. He grabbed his tux, hopped out of the car, and headed for Brian’s car. He got in, and they were on their way.
The hall was about a half hour from the house in a small town called Grand Rapids. Some thought it odd to have the wedding outside of their home town, but Eric and Cathryn had chosen Nazareth Hall because of its elegant ballroom and beautiful grotto which was just down the hill. They had known from the beginning that they wanted an outdoor wedding, and once they saw the location, they just knew that no place else could possibly compare. Eric was deep in thought about all the plans they had made and the vows that they would take that afternoon, but quickly brought back to reality with a crash of thunder as they pulled into the hall parking lot.
Eric sighed heavily. Oh great, now they would have to hold the ceremony inside. So much for the beautiful outdoor setting, he thought. As the walked down the hallway toward the men’s dressing room he could hear all the women bustling about and moaning about the rain. He knew Cat would be disappointed, but at least he couldn’t hear her sobbing. That was a good sign, wasn’t it? He wished there was something he could do, but there wasn’t. All he could do now was put on the tuxedo, try not to get wrinkled, and wait.
He got dressed and looked at the clock. He still had forty-five minutes until the ceremony. Then, there was a knock at the door.
“Where is the guest book,” his mother asked?”
“I don’t know.”
“How about the engraved cake server and the party favors?”
“I don’t know,” he said again. “Go ask Cat.”
“I did. She said that they were in the box that she gave to you.”
“Oh, crap!” he said. Though, his internal language was no doubt more severe. He couldn’t control the weather, but the one thing that he could control, he’d already screwed up. He had one responsibility that morning—to bring one small box. With all the car-related excitement, he’d managed to leave it behind. Okay, Eric. Think. How can you fix this? You better think of something or you’ll be in the dog house before the honeymoon even begins.
There were only about forty minutes left before the ceremony was scheduled to begin. The box was sitting in the trunk of his car in his parents’ driveway, a half an hour away. He’d never make it there and back. He had to find someone that he knew well enough to impose upon, but wasn’t that close to, as that person would most definitely have to sacrifice seeing the ceremony. The possible options were slim, but he decided to ask his best man’s girlfriend, Emily. She was sensible enough to get the job done, a good enough friend, but not that good. As long as she made it back for the reception it would be fine. He quickly searched her out and she agreed. Of course, he had to draw a map for her, since she had only recently moved to Ohio from Baltimore, but he was reasonably confident that she could handle it. He sent her on her way and returned to his dressing room to pray. He usually considered himself an agnostic, but this seemed like a good time to ask for a little help from above.
By the time the hour rolled around, the rain had let up enough to chance holding the ceremony in the grotto. It was risky, but far more aesthetically pleasing than the alternative. They took the chance and it paid off. The ceremony went off without a hitch and without a drop of rain. The gods—if you believe in them—were even smiling on Eric that day. Or maybe they were shining on his more religious bride. Either way, as the wedding ended and Eric and Cathryn joined hands to walk up the aisle as husband and wife, the sun came peeking through the clouds. They quite literally walked off into the sunset. They walked up the hill into the lovely ballroom. Eric, still sweating just a little, held his breath as they walked into the hall. His eyes darted around the room. He watched Cat smile when she saw all the decorated tables—tables with party favors. He saw friends and family lining up to sign the guest book, and glanced over at the cake table just long enough to notice the shiny silver engraved serving set. Thank God, he thought. Or at least, thank Emily!
Cathryn K. Thompson 