The Big Day - Spike and Krista's Wedding

        It was not a perfect weather day.  The  plan for a wedding outside the Bascom Lodge was rendered moot by rain and fog.  We were on-call in case any last minute errands needed to be run. Fortunately, Krista had things so well organized that no emergency calls were received.  At her request, we arrived about an hour before the service was about to begin, and helped with some last minute jobs, like making sure all the floral arrangements were in place and candles lit.

 At just after 5:00 P.M. the festivities began.  Music was provided by a friend of the family Martha von Schiligen and a friend of hers(I can't remember her name - the excitement of the day, not old age).

     It was a small wedding party, with only Maid-of-Honor, Erin joining her sister walking down the aisle. The picture below is of my two beautiful daughters getting ready for their walk. It's a day like this that makes me glad we spent the money on the orthodontic.

         Spike's dad was his best man, and Kent Higgins, former Pastor at Berlin United Methodist Church, performed the ceremony. I was best man at Kent's wedding in Washington D.C. at the National Cathedral 20 plus years ago.

          Readings  were presented by Spike's Uncle Robert(his only uncle) and yours truly.  I had an idea for a poem based on the hike Nan and I took up Mt. Greylock with Spike and Kris over the summer.  I wanted it to reflect how much like climbing a mountain marriage can be, with tough stretches, rewarding vistas, and the sense of accomplishment.  I was having trouble putting it in the right framework so I turned it over to the real writer in the family.  Within 20 minutes Nan had a masterpiece which not only included my ideas but put them in the context of the wonderful relationship that Spike and Krista have.  It worked very well.  Completing the Lance portion of the program, David and Erin sang "My Cup Runneth Over With Love" from the musical "I Do, I Do" which I Did, I Did at Oldcastle when Erin and Kris were just kids.  I seem to remember that her mother and I used it as a lullaby for Krista when she was a baby.

      I must tell David to button his jacket when standing.  They did a great job.  It made we wish that we'd all use our voices more.  The vows were simple and heartfelt.  Kent moved things along quickly, and the next thing you know I have a married daughter and a son-in-law.  Just as the ceremony was concluding the sun peaked through the thick foggy overcast for the briefest of moments - I like to think that all those who have gone on to the next great adventure were showing their approval. 

      A lot of the "traditions" that you see at a regular wedding and reception were not part of the rest of the evenings activities.  There was no formal toast, no throwing the bouquet, no stuff with the garter.  It was just a nice meal and get together of friends and family.  There was a short "first dance" and Kris and I dance to Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey", but other than that, it was "PARTY TIME". Krista had put together a great playlist which included quite a few classic rock and roll songs.  Kent's wife Jenny complimented Krista's mother and I for bringing up our children to appreciate great rock and roll. We did take a little break from dancing for them to cut the cake.

       My wife and I "danced up a storm".   We left around 11:00, as we had to get up the next morning and drive all the way back to Durham. Most of the wedding party and some of the friends had booked rooms in the Lodge for the night, so all they had to do was stumble - I mean - walk up stairs. Krista had also arranged for a bus to take the rest of the guests back to their hotels in Williamstown. It was a wonderful, joyous occasion, with a handsome groom and a beautiful, very happy bride.