Aside from a minor snafu at the airport (Stepan forgot I was married and booked my ticket in my maiden name...which no longer appears on any of my official identification), we made it to California on Friday in time to be awed by the gorgeous weather and entertained by the fruits of my cousin, Debbie's, efforts to convert her home into the perfect rehearsal dinner venue. The catered food was delicious. The backyard was festively decorated and easily accommodated the 50+ guests in attendance. We ate. We drank. We danced barefooted in the grass. It was the perfect setting for the Texans (the Lucios) to meet the Yankees (the Ganglianos).
Saturday dawned as another day in Paradise. It's really easy to see how so many people decided to move to the California coast and even easier to see how someone who didn't grow up with the heavy Texas heat and humidity would feel oppressed by it in the summer! But I digress...the wedding was in a beautiful church about 20 minutes from Casa Molina (aka Deb's house) at noon. Aunt Bertha looked stunning in a white, lacy sheath gown and carried a lovely arrangement of white and red roses. Aunt Helen and a long-time friend of Bertha’s (Marie?) were co-matrons-of-honor and Bertha’s granddaughter, Jordan, was a junior bride’s maid. All looked fabulous in their maroon ensembles which didn’t look too much like traditional wedding finery. One of Frank’s sons and his brother stood up with him. My cousins, Rick and Michael, were ushers and looked very handsome in their tuxedos. The ceremony was nice and short though there was some lively discussion afterwards about the first reading (a long, detailed summary of how a woman was to be a “good” wife…Meredith would have loved it!). Then the obligatory “after” photos which included a great (in color) shot of all the Lucios who were able to attend. Then on to the reception!
We had a wonderful time at the reception. The family I have inherited from my Dad is everything a family should be. They care a great deal about each other. They respect each other. They are all intelligent and witty. They know how to have a good time. And they are all great dancers…even the men! The very best part of this wedding for me was getting to dance with all of my uncles. And while I managed a passable two-step with Uncle Richard and Uncle Jesse, we cleared the floor when Uncle Henry and I got up to cumbia! All in all, a fantastic event!
Many thanks to my cousin Debbie for putting us up in her “Make You Own Bed and Breakfast” - Stepan and I are looking forward to the next time we get to crash there. And a multitude of best wished, congratulations, and tons of love to Aunt Bertha and Frank.
Posted by jfer at June 28, 2003 11:48 PMSounds like I missed a wonderful party. I am glad you had a lovely time. Sounds like everything was just beautiful. BTW, I laughed my behind off at the opening paragragph of this entry.
Posted by: mom (aka Rita) on July 8, 2003 8:02 PMIt all sounds lovely. Stepan's mental lapse is too funny! How did you work it out at the airport. I bet there were several people at the airport that had a good laugh that day and a story to pass on.
Posted by: cynthia on July 12, 2003 11:52 AM