Starting and Finishing

post wedding blues

There's nothing like a wedding. They are the best parties. You put on your best clothes. Wear your best face. And do your best to say the right words.

Matthew and Alisha's wedding was perfect. It started 45 minutes late because Dad was late getting Grandma there but getting her there was a monumental challenge. Matthew had the good sense to wait until Grandma could see what she's been waiting to witness her whole life, to watch her grand-baby get married.
Matthew couldn't have been handsomer. He had on a long suit coat a foot longer than most men could pull off but with his height, he looked down right regal for a redneck. His groomsmen looked sharp in tuxes, more like men.
Alisha was a perfect wedding princess from her tiara down to the beaded train of her dress. She was surprisingly cool as a cucumber too. Her brother, Brandon, and I were the water works during the ceremony. When Matthew read the vows he wrote through his tear pooled eyes I had to hold my breath to keep from sobbing out loud. Their vows were honest, sweet and hear-felt. I couldn't have been prouder of the two of them.
At the start of the ceremony Mom had difficulty lighting the candle Matthew would later use to light the unity candle but Tara, Alisha's mom helped her with the lighter. Mom said she was so emotional on the wedding day, "I couldn't speak because I was pouring down rain (crying)."
Looking at Dad I could tell he was choked up with pride for Matthew and the knowledge this was probably the most significant event we would all get to share with Grandma.
During the 10 hour drive back to Charlotte Mom and I agreed we had nothing to look forward to now, "the world is back to normal."
We stopped in to see Grandma at the nursing home before we left Florida. Her face was still covered in glitter from the wedding outfit she had on the day before. The trip to Orlando had worn her out. She couldn't speak. I just chattered about the toast I gave at the reception after Dad left with her, who we saw and what they're doing. We just looked at each other, cried and said again and again how beautiful Alisha and Matthew's wedding was.