That, alone, is huge in any parent's life. Add to it a pandemic, and. you have the most interesting, emotional, stressful, stress-free wedding experience I can imagine. This morning, I'm basking in the afterglow of family and flowers and pie and don't want to forget a bit of it, so here is a messy list of memories I want to tell my grandchildren about:
- March 15 - The Covid-19 pandemic begins to get serious, with a "stay at home" order first issued. Soon after, Todd is ordered home from work until early June.
- Early April - we realize it's going to be awhile, and we need to decide to post-pone the wedding, or change it to comply with health ordinances. The decision is made to continue with 10 people only - Bride and groom, parents, officiant, photographer and sound people. We cancel catering, send an email to guests explaining they are un-invited, and tell the bridesmaids and groomsmen they won't be able to attend.
- May 1 - Sarah moves home from Moody to finish out the remainder of her classes. It is a sweet and stressful time as 2 college girls are back in the house and all 3 magruder children are doing school from home, mom is working from home, and Todd is, well, home.
- Home projects: a truckload of mulch is delivered and spread around our home, a desk and coatrack are painted for Sarah's new house, cleaning, sorting, organizing
- May 15 - Sarah "graduates" from Moody Bible Institute with a few pics and a confetti popper on the front lawn. The neighbors drive by and honk their congratulations
- We realize there is no place open for Todd to get a new suit for the wedding. We find a local business downtown that is illegally open. We buy an illegal, bootleg suit for way more money than we would've planned. Seriously. I can't even put the number down here because I'm so embarrassed by it. But man, it's a nice suit.
- Sarah's wedding band was purchased and being sized at JCPenney in Springfield. With COVID-19, Penneys has been closed for 10 weeks. Sarah emailed and called the local and corporate offices with no response. I tweeted about the problem, and JCPCares immediately responded. Unfortunately, they said there was nothing they could do. Sarah then purchased an $8 ring from Walmart for the ceremony.
- Wedding week: Sophia throws a bachelorette party with only 3 people invited - Sarah, Sophia, and Selah. They do a progressive drive-thru dinner around town, then come back to the house and watch Princess Diaries 2 in a candle-lit basement. So sweet.
- Lots of "hey google, play ___________"
- Rehearsal - the Camp is beautiful. It is sunny and 72 degrees. Caleb's family brings the arbor he made, and they dig holes to put it in the ground. We have a Chick fil a picnic in camp chairs with Caleb's parents. We all have sunburns at the end of the day, and sarah's face is red as a tomato.
- Todd and I both write letters to Caleb that we give him that afternoon. We give Sarah letters at home.
- We pick up eucalyptus, lavendar and baby's breath at HyVee. Sarah and I make boutineirs, flower crowns, her bouquet, and some pots.
- Wedding Day - sarah is up early for a smoothie and a fried egg. we take everything out of her bedroom and sophia arranges a beautiful space for getting ready and taking pictures.
- Sophia does her makeup. Mom does her hair. Nana's blue bird necklace, her favorite earrings from Ukraine.
- Video and pictures at the house.
- Sabrina, the videographer is so good at directing the show. Thankful for that with an indecisive bride.
- Nana and Poppy drop off 6 pies at the house: French Silk, Coconut Cream, Dutch Apple, Pumpkin (2), and Strawberry Rhubarb. (the last 3 were made by Nana)
- About 10 cars lined up around the drive of the camp.
- Sarah and Todd waiting in the Cypress Garage
- Caleb shows his emotions from the very beginning
- Sarah and Todd look amazing walking across the field
- I forgot to stand for the bride. I took 1 picture and got distracted looking at them
- Michael Yotter has rigged it so that people can hear the ceremony through an FM transmitter. So kind.
- David did a wonderful job officiating. He referred to Todd's "Gut it out". He talked about how hard marriage is, and also how wonderful. (The lasleys told Sarah the wedding was their gift to she and Caleb....I'm so thankful for them)
- It is a perfect day. about 73 degrees and sunny. perfect.
- They go car to car to greet the family (family plus a few)
- Pictures with the parents and the girls. The couple stays for a few more video shots on the dock
- Jimmy Johns subs back at our house with Nana, Poppy and Linda. And lots of pie.
- Nana slides off the tiny band from Grandma Bunker and gives it to Sarah. Nana and poppy also give Sarah a beautiful Tiffany Lamp for their new house and tell the story about recieving a lamp for their wedding that they still own (with a cardinal on it)
- We send them off with extra pie and sandwiches for their honeymoon. They head to Mt. Pulaski for another party with the McCains.
I wish I had asked the questions Sabrina asked Sarah earlier in their relationship/engagement: What do you love about Caleb? What are you looking forward to in marriage? To hear Sarah express that was so beautiful and encouraging. They are going to be just fine.
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