Bianca's Wedding

One of my oldest friends got married last weekend. The snow was coming down fast that day, and the wind was gusty. We were worried about the driving conditions, so we left the house early. We arrived without incident and then spent some time trying to park. We couldn't see the curb from all the snow and ice that had accumulated and the parking lot hadn't been plowed yet. Then, when we got out of the car, I had to use an umbrella so my hair wouldn't get plastered from the wet snow. But I didn't care about the weather. I wouldn't have missed this wedding for the world.

Our early arrival gave us the opportunity to settle in, take in our surroundings and people watch. The church started to fill and gradually I began to recognize faces I hadn't seen in 25 years. Slowly, the scent of still blooming Christmas poinsettias began to reach me, and I became aware of the sounds of the organ, softly playing Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. There was family there, but mostly there were so many friends. Bianca is one of those rare individuals that manages to conserve friendships throughout her life, and when she announced her wedding plans, we came eagerly, from all over the country, in spite of the weather, and, oh, so happily. She looked lovely. Her Joe is a handsome guy, and they seem so much in love.

 

The wedding and reception were wonderful, understated, and very classy. The conversation at our table sparkled. We talked about Obama. Everything from the elections to the Inauguration, to the formidable task that awaits him, to his beautiful daughters. We spoke of travel and places we've seen. The tipsy deacon at our table was very funny. I've never had such good conversation at a wedding; Bianca knew that we would "click."

 

And then we got loud, we sang love songs so the bride and groom would kiss, a twist on the old clink-the glasses-with-the-spoon tradition ("She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah . . . ") and we laughed. And then Bianca and Joe danced their first dance to "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole. And it was magical.