Dear Readers, Apologies for the long lag between entries. I confess to being a bit scatter brained coupled with “dust settling” tiredness. Completing full sentences in prose is exhausting right now. I’m lucky to update a status sentence on Facebook. So where do I begin. Back at the dress fitting, I reckon.

I got the final drainage tube out Tuesday, September 29. My stomach has taken on a life of its own. I wish I could just cut it off of me. It’s mammoth and I’m tired of it being in the way of things. I purchased an acrylic cane to help me stand up. My legs are working fine. However, not having abdominal muscles to help hold me up, hurts the back. The cane helps take the weight and it kind of complimented the dress a bit.

The wonderful thing was that when I arrived at Laura and Abe’s for the fitting, I had lost so much weight that the dress fit like a glove. It was wonderful. Laura actually had to alter the jacket to make it smaller. She wanted to take the dress in also, but I said no. It was perfect.

On the day of the wedding, Emily, Krista (Fred’s daughter), Betty (my first mother-in-law) and I went to Susan’s Salon for a morning of pampering. I think we all looked fabulous when we were done. I really liked how they did all of our make-up. Emily was stunning and I felt darn pretty myself (for a change).

Fred went to help out at Twin Oaks, then he met Krista to go hang out at her house until the time for photo taking.

The weather was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky. Temperature was perfect.

The family gathered and the fun began.

Laura did a fantastic job on the dress. I think Fred liked it and was surprised when he saw it for the first time.

This photo is the moment right before Fred and I saw each other for the first time. I had been worried about what he would think of me. But, when I saw the back of him in the dashing tux, I forgot everything and only saw him. His back side took my breath away. When he turned around, I melted even more. He’s so handsome. I tingled up and down my spine all night every time I looked at him.

Pete Gosney was the officiant for the wedding. He was my co-worker at Campbell County High School. I started working at the high school two weeks after Mike died. Pete sat at the desk next to mine. Now I will say during one of the most difficult times in a person’s life, like the loss of a spouse, working in a high school with young people, with a lay pastor as your co-worker was like free therapy. We laughed, cried, enjoyed the kid’s shenanigan’s and stirred up our own. Knowing Pete has been such a blessing. I could think of no better person to perform the marriage ceremony.

Also, I found out from his wife that Pete’s best friend from childhood was Fred’s older brother, Jim! The feeling of family and love in the Plantation Room at Twin Oaks felt like warm honey and lemon. Everyone commented on his homily and how perfect it was. We agreed. His personal view touched our hearts and all the people in the room. It was serious and funny all at the same time. He captured our feelings for each other and the joy we have found in our friendship, romance and now marriage. He captured everything we were thinking and feeling.

I was holding it together pretty well until the end of the service when Pete prayed. Emily and my brother, Larry, collaborated on a piece of music Emily wrote to the occasion, “Du Coeur.” (From the Heart) During the song, Fred looked at me deeply and told me he loved me. His words choked as they mingled with tears. I was overwhelmed. Here was my grown up daughter playing an original composition, Fred’s beautiful daughter stood by his side, family and friends bowed in heartfelt prayer for us. It was powerful.

After the ceremony, we slipped out to take a few more pictures outside while the room was being set up for the reception. Our guests enjoyed light fare while they waited.

When we came back inside, the festivities of celebration began with a toast. Now I will tell you, this is where I was truly surprised and shocked. Fred and I had been discussing who would actually offer the toast. I usually do all the talking because Fred is a quiet and shy person. Well, I finally cajoled him into speaking.

(so I thought)….

Did he ever tell me that? No!

When I gave him the poem on Sweetest Day, he read it silently to himself, then laid it on the dining room table. I think he said thank you, but nothing more. I was kind of embarrassed. Writing a poem for someone is rather personal. I exposed myself to him for the first time – and there was no real reaction. Darn it anyway. He was such an enigma to me then! I will tell you I am very glad I did not let his nonchalance deter me. Ha!

Written for Fred by Mary Lu on October 18, 2008

I will love and cherish forever.

When he read it as a toast to me and for our guests, I was nothing but stunned. I think my cheeks were frozen in a smile that still kind of hurts today – two months later!

Then it was time for the cutting of the cake!

My sister-in-law Cheri and niece, Amanda made the five cakes. Sister-in-law Chandra and friend, Tammy decorated the cakes and banquet room with stupendous flowers. I think I can say objectively that they were the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen in a wedding. I mean I love all flowers. and all flowers are pretty, but these flowers were beyond beautiful. Everything about the wedding was perfect, but the flowers and the cakes – were WAY beyond expectations. Jim Fausz captured their beauty. Every time I see the photos I get hungry for cake and I want the flowers, live, in our house everyday!

Today, Fred and I will be watching t.v. or eating dinner and look up at each other and smile, at the same time. We are still surprised we have found love at this age and time in our lives. We are such good friends.

We cannot thank our friends and family enough for your love and support.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to infinite. And, we love you all right back!