Wed, Jul 11th - 8:09PM

This is kid #6A, who was over here so often in the 80s we thought he was ours. He played video games and babysat the younger two kids and helped us chop wood. Later we went to his party when he got his PhD, and we visited his classroom in Pittsburgh.  We went to his brother's wedding, his mother's funeral, his father's "broom-jumping."  We met a number of his long-term girlfriends, but none of them could make him commit.  Then, about two weeks after Rich died, Rick announced that he was engaged.  My jaw dropped.  I met Christina when they visited up here ("are you the fiancee?") and I guess I made a good impression on her, because they later invited me to the wedding. It sounded so different and interesting that I accepted. It's also a good excuse to see Vince and family again.

I heard from the wedding coordinator that the van driver would pick me up about 3:30, so I was dressed and ready. Niki had warned me that I might have to pay for my drinks, so I took a $20, too. William got to the Park&Ride in plenty of time, and then we waited.  Finally the coordinator and her fiance and a gazillion things to carry got there.  A couple from British Columbia also squeezed in and we were off to the dock!

We were about an hour before it was time to get on the boat.  William went back for more guests, and I helped carry some of the stuff down to the dock. I was delighted to see the groom's father, my neighbor, standing there. Although, one of the first things I did was get him to sit down.  Just last week it looked like he wouldn't live this long.  He was distressed because he'd forgotten his notes for his toast.

They were doing pictures, which is how I got that first one.  There was a table with a few snacks, someone checking us in and giving us our goodie bag, and these rocks to use as a guest book. In the goodie bag, two drink tickets, a kazoo, 3-D glasses, a program, and bubbles.

So it was getting late, and I hoped to get onto the boat.  A boat guy said we could, Crystal said we couldn't, but too late, most of the groom's family, and I, were on, so we went to the top deck and picked seats. Chitchat ensued.  They had a rehearsal in the space and I took pictures on the theory that I might not manage the actual ceremony. 

Other people were finally allowed on.  The limit for the upper deck is 125 people, and I think there were 130 guests, so I thought a little bit about capsizing. It was a bit choppy and the captain wouldn't leave the dock till 7:15, so the wedding started a little late. It was quick and beautiful.

Then things got really complex.  They were taking more pictures upstairs, trying to feed us downstairs, not enough room to sit, people here, people there. Then there were the toasts. The father winged it, listing the family members who had passed on, especially Rick's mother (who would have LOVED to see this day, at last!) Brother Doug said after they met Christina, 7 words kept going through their heads... "Christina, what in Hell are you thinking?" Heh.

Then the usual wedding stuff, and then the fireworks! Then, about 11:15, the party broke up. I had to wait quite awhile for the van, since William got stuck in post-fireworks traffic. I went with him and waited in his car while he made the last trip, and then he got me home a little past 1.  What a great wedding!  I'm so glad I went!