New England Rewind 2008

I can't be everywhere, but during my latest trip to Vermont and Massachusetts I feel like I tried. Regardless, I couldn't visit everyone, so a recap will have to do. The purpose of the trip was to fulfill my best man duties at Sean and April's wedding on 8/8/2008 in Bennington, VT. Followed by a trip to Sharon, MA for Tiffers big 40th b-day with the family. So with apologies to everyone I couldn't see, this is what I saw - in my New England Rewind 2008 The Bennington Monument in Vermont - site of Sean and April's wedding
It rained when MaLe and I arrived and rained all day Friday. Thanks to Mandy's magic, her gift to Sean was a spell to clear the sky for the 30 minute outdoor ceremony. It worked. The rain stopped and resumed shortly after heading inside.

The lovely bride and groom
If you're going to do a best man toast, do it right. With the Bee Gees in the background and me with sassy pose (and one too many drinks in me), I gave my off the cuff speech which drew one audible gasp but thankfully ended with laughter and applause. I have no idea what I said. The bride made me wear pink.

But the bride may have said something to the groom a bit later about the speech.There's no intended innuendo in this picture of the monument.I'm genuinely happy for Sean and April and I meant all the good stuff I said. I miss the old days, but wish you well on the new days ahead. Hopefully it won't be another 15 months till we see each other again.

Got to spend a little time with Bill. Not enough time. He was nice enough to come get us in Bennington and travel with us east to visit Tara, Peyton and Carter.


Is Peyton not the cutest?

A trip to visit Tiffer and family is rarely without mischief. Why an 11-year old knows when to hold'em and when to fold'em is beyond me. He also knows when to run.
This is how you rock out on Guitar Hero"
Jim cookin' the dogs and burgers for the brood.
Aunt "Ga" and baby Carter
What's the problem Peyton? Why the face? (Hi Stelly - you made the blog again!)

More mischief with Abigail.
Poor Peyton - your brother gets to have birthdays too....
Nighttime geocaching with Cubbie and Little SmileyLion
The whole nighttime caching crew.
Aunt Mandy with baby Carter. Super Cheeks!

And back home on JetBlue. Only 30 minutes late this trip. Miss the family already.

Foolish Bride

MaLe and I were listening to my favorite band, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers on the iPod as we headed to see them at the Social in Orlando. Their song Love was playing and she said she didn't like it because of the line that says "Please take away my foolish bride".

I laughed and sang the lyrics:

Please take away my doubt
Please take away my fears
Please take away my foolish pride

Open up my hands
Open my arms
Open my eyes
Open my heart up wide
Revolution's on the inside

Who hasn't heard the wrong lyrics a time or two? It also makes for a nice segue into the proclamation of our wedding now 6 months past.

It was a Wednesday and we had the day off. I think that was the case. If it wasn't don't tell my boss, but the plan had been to be married on January 23rd, 2008 and have a celebration in November with friends and family.

Upon entering the County Clerks office we entered the queue and had to take a number. I debated between choosing the Maple Smoked Ham or the Mesquite Smoked Turkey but quickly remembered what we were there for. The Mexican couple with matching straw cowboy hats helped as well.

The ceremony before the Justice of the Peace was nice enough and government workers stood and clapped after I was permitted to kiss the bride. The stuff of childhood dreams.We enjoyed lunch at the Veranda across the street. I recommend the fried grits smothered in a cajun red pepper sauce. If only for the adventure.

Our honeymoon was a trip to Lover's Key State Park which was surprisingly dark and foggy for mid-afternoon in Florida. It gave it a serene and mystical, yet unicornless atmosphere.

I served as photographer. It just felt weird to have someone else following us around with a camera. Like always.
It was a beautiful day shared between the two of us. No fuchsia bridesmaid dresses. No honey-cream walnut wedding cake. No Electric Slide. Just us.

As for the November ceremony? It would have been beautiful as planned but as we moved along in the process, the financial and mental toll it was taking after a few short weeks became exhausting. It would have been great to have her family from Ecuador and the US and my family from the US all together. But by not having that celebration - 3 days and 2 nights of festivities - we saved ourselves thousands of dollars on accommodations that can be spent starting out on this new life. We saved our guests thousands of dollars on flights, hotels and food and we saved the planet all of the resources that would have been spent getting people here, providing shelter for them and feeding them.

So basically we had a 2 person "green" wedding. (Don't say the word elope to MaLe - she turns into She-Hulk!)

So the ceremony is off and that is ok! Were already married anyway and I loved our wedding day!

I was listening to the wife sing another song by Roger Clyne a while back. Without complaint she sang the chorus "Menuation.....menuation fall in love". I laughed and corrected the lyric and knew then we would have our first dance to that song at our imaginary ceremony.

We still sing it the wrong way, but here it is by Roger himself....

(Te amo mucho, babycita)