A Catskills Wedding Party

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Dan and Alex were married on December 12, 2020 in a Google Meets ceremony. So they have had a wedding and are married for several months.  People were joking about this being the second wedding in a year--but the same marriage. But this time they did have a ceremony complete with a processional, readings, vows and a kiss. Alexandra had a beautiful dress and Dan looked wonderful too in his suit and floral tie that matched the bodice of the wedding dress. 

 Their friends came from as far as Seattle and San Francisco. Many friends and colleagues were there from New York City. A few new friends and neighbors came from Aumick and Decker Roads. I thought it was a special joy that Dan and Alex could introduce their friends to their lovely location at the foot of the Catskill Mountains.

Alex said that she stopped looking at the weather app because the weather was out of her control. It was not warm but it was comfortable enough. There were a few raindrops after the ceremony but not enough to ruin anything. 

 Jim and I walked Dan down the aisle and then he awaited his beautiful bride from under the arbor he and a friend had created for them. Dan had a wonderful smile on his face and for good reason! Their friend Jossie was the mistress of ceremonies. She said a few words about how Dan and Alex wanted to renew their vows in front of friends and family. There were two readings including Shakespeare's 116th sonnet read by Jim. They exchanged rings with their vows, kissed, and it was over. This mother of the groom wiped away a few tears from her eyes! 

 We had cocktails that Dan and Alex specially created for the occasion featuring apple cider and bourbon. Then on to the pizza truck for a choice of unusual pizzas which we ate at tables set up under a big tent. Lindsey and Max, friends of Alex and Dan, gave toasts. Martha, Alex's mother, toasted them with much love for her daughter. Jim and I said a few words about Dan--mostly memories of young Dan--and then we toasted their marriage too with our great happiness on this occasion. 

 And then we danced. What fun to see little Henry (21 months) dancing with great enthusiasm as well as Doris and Hal (neighbors married for 61 years) also dancing looking into each other's eyes. Jim and I even moved our bodies some--especially joining our grandchildren. 

 We didn't stay for s'mores but headed to our motel in Pine Bush before the front desk closed. It was a dark country road ride with many turns but fortunately our Apple Maps cell phone service worked and we did well. To add to a good day, Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech and we were able to watch the Texas A and M Aggies beat Alabama on TV. 

The party continued into Sunday with cider and donuts at Wilklow Orchards.  This was our treat with an open bar for hard cider and dozens of delicious donuts.  Some guests picked apples while they were there.  The grandchildren had fun taking polaroid photos of the guests and putting them in a memory book.

We are so thankful that Dan and Alex found each other and are making a life together. They are both treasures to us and we love them dearly. As we were out on the edge of the dance floor I looked at our offspring and  wondered if we would be able to celebrate more weddings with them.  I hope we can. 

 Probably not for little Henry.  At least we danced with him at this party!