I just returned from a wedding in Canada. The bride is a Canadian friend who lived in Chicago up until about 3 years ago. She called me in December to tell me about the wedding and ask me if I could make it.
'Wouldn't miss it,' was my answer. It was true. Although we have grown apart since she left Chicago, I still consider her a good friend and wanted to be there for the biggest day of her life (so far, anyway).
The bride and her groom are both from small families (okay, small in comparison to my massive clan), so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when the entire reception totaled 30-40 people. That's essentially my immediate family...just for comparison sake.
Anyway, the ceremony was lovely, albeit different from the numerous over-the-top glamfests that I've been involved in. The bridal party included one matron of honor and one best man (both women). No religious ritual here. Just a female minister from some organization I'd never heard of, reading some wonderful, heartwarming sentiments followed by vows and ring exchange and wrapped up with the reading of a poem by a family friend.
Did I mention it was lovely? Simple, direct, unique and wonderful.
The reception wasn't really the typical reception, but I expected nothing less. It was dinner in a private room (with a fireplace!) in a steakhouse/bar that the bridal couple frequent. There were no ceremonial introductions, no receiving line, no DJ or band, no tossing of the bouquet, no garter snatching and tossing, no first dance.
Lovely!
I was seated with another American, a friend whom I hadn't seen in several years. Aside from the bridal couple, this woman was one of only four people in the room that I had EVER met!
It's always interesting and exciting when there are lots of new people to meet...in another country to boot!. People who didn't know you weren't popular in high school, wore braces for three years and were a bit pigeon-toed in grammar school. A fresh new start in socializing!! Yay!
Nevertheless, at least three complete strangers came up to me and said, 'Oh, YOU'RE (The Writer)!'
Am I wearing a sign?
