Anne's Wedding

   The day had finally arrived. It was Anne's wedding day. A day she had been planning for a year and a half.
    C, Lynn who was our tech, and I made the trip up to the place Anne had chosen for her venue. It was a two and a half hour drive. Since it was supposed to be very cold out, like many degrees below zero, we packed some emergency supplies. We had blankets, foot and hand warmers and a supply of chocolate bars. The ride up was pleasant. The sun was shining and the roads were clear. I was eager to attend this wedding. I had been hearing about it during the planning and saw the pictures of what she wanted to do. I was looking forward to seeing how it would all come together.
   We had made arrangements to borrow Marie's hotel room so we could change clothes. It wasn't very practical to travel in our dress clothes due to the cold. We met Marie's boyfriend at the entrance to the hotel and he let us into the room. We had arrived in plenty of time to change.
   Once we were dressed, we met Marie near the venue, where the pictures were being taken. Marie was Anne's personal attendant and needed to be nearby. We walked downstairs to the ballroom where the reception and dance would be held. Outside the ballroom was a wood board with a tree painted on it for people to sign in place of a guestbook. There was a rack with all the escort cards that Anne had painstakingly decorated and lettered. There was a wedding picture of Anne's parents and also Rick's (groom) parents,  along with Anne and Rick's engagement pictures. It was just so like Anne. The ballroom was set up with covered chairs and trays of meat, cheese and fruit with crackers and various spread artfully designed. The small cutting cake had been set out along with trays of cupcakes in various flavours.
   C found the guitar player and started conversing with him. I knew that that would go on until the ceremony started and would pick up after the ceremony ended. I was glad he had someone to talk to.
  Before long the ceremony started. Anne glided down the aisle on the arm of her father. She looked wonderful. Her hair was half up and half down. The dress fit her nicely and her veil edged with sparkles trailed behind her held by a young girl in a pink chiffon and sequin dress. There ceremony was short and full of meaning. Anne had to reach for a tissue several times during the ceremony. To commemorate the day they poured sand into a glass vase that Anne had lettered.
   After the ceremony we went downstairs for drinks before dinner. Everyone else had champagne. I had lemonade. I helped myself to the tray of hors devours. They were good especially the salami. I had a good time chatting with Marie, Lynn and Marie's boyfriend. C, as expected, had found the guitar player and was chatting with him again.
   The wedding party arrived in the ballroom and was introduced to the guests. They took their places and dinner was served. I looked around while we ate and saw all the family and friends that Anne and Rick had. There were just the right amount of people. They would be able to speak to everyone at least a little bit during the reception and dance. Of course people started banging on their glasses to get the couple to kiss. It was then announced that if one wanted to see the couple kiss, a donation needed to be made to the honeymoon fund. There was a box on the head table for just such donations.
  After the dinner the cake was cut, and the bride and groom fed each other a piece. I waited a bit and then helped myself to a cupcake. I dropped the first one I took, so I put it on a side table and got another one. It was good, chocolate with a lighter chocolate filling.
   It was time for the dancing to start. Anne and Rick danced, then Anne danced with her father. After that everyone danced. I wanted to dance, but was waiting for the right song. I was hoping to dance at least a little bit before we had to leave. My wish was granted, song that I liked started to play. I literally dragged C onto the dance floor. We danced for a few songs. Then it was time to go.
   Before we left C took a picture of Anne, Marie, Lynn and I. We had been through so much in the last week since the pharmacy closed that it only seemed right.
   We went back to the hotel room to change and grab our things. C went to get the car. Lynn and I said goodbye to Marie. Then we went out. It wasn't as cold as we thought it would be. We got home just after midnight. Charlie backed Lynn's car out so she wouldn't have to back out into the street to get home. We went inside and got ready for bed. It was a long day, but a good one.