Married Again

At this time, 25 years ago, we were still dancing away at our reception. It went until 11 and I had the best time. I’ve heard about how newlyweds never have a good time at their wedding reception; how they spend the day going from table to table, greeting people, taking photos, barely having time to eat. That wasn’t the case with us. We had a blast.

Today we renewed our vows. Now normally I don’t like that whole thing because it means getting up in front of everyone in Church. But this day was different. It’s the feast day of my parish and they were having this big Mass tonight at 7:30 with the bishop. Therefore, I knew the usual noon crowd would be down. They’d all be at the night Mass tonight.

There were a few people who don’t normally attend the noon weekday Mass there today – my father & his wife, my sister & nephew, my sister in-law with my niece & 2 nephews, my friend & her daughter, another friend & her husband (my official photographer). The lector (reader) was another friend. Everyone came back here for lunch afterwards. Well not everyone like people I don’t know. And my pastor had plans, as did our visiting priest, who so happens to be living at the seminary in Rome with my son during the school year. But we did have 15 or so people here. I had food to easily feed double that number. Hey, can I help it??

Anyway, getting back to the Church, so after the homily, our pastor has us come up on the altar with him & it was sorta like we were getting married again. Yes, that’s right. I got up in front of everyone and spoke. Well not exactly. I just repeated what the priest told us to say. The only way I got through it was by not looking directly at Frank. I’m sorry but if I looked at him, I would have lost it and not have been able to say anything.

Later, back at the house, one of my friends said, “So who cried when Joanne & Frank renewed their vows?” Everyone’s hand shot up. Even Frank’s. I think the only ones who didn’t were me & the kids. Oh, didn’t I mention I don’t cry in front of people?