Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Behind the Scene Stories


week of wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
Let me give you some background to set the tone of these stories.  If you have seen Brave, then you have seen my daughter.  The daughter in Brave is like my Nicole....give her rules and she will find her own way of getting around them.  She would also compete any day with the boys and probably win. That being said, here are the stories behind the scene....as we all said, "In Totally Nicole Style"

My daughter was in total control over her wedding planning. I was the labor with the duct tape over my mouth and my own hidden time table.  So in Totally Nicole Style, I found myself in the front seat of her small car speeding across the Metroplex on Friday, late afternoon, the last work day before the wedding on Sunday.   She was on  the phone...yes, putting her own mother's life in danger, while moving in and out of traffic to get to the wholesale flower store.  We were to pick up all the roses that "Ethel" and I would be using to create the bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding.  The place closed at 3 and it was already after 1....yes, too close for my comfort zone, yet a wonderful challenge for my daughter.  As we were driving, she and hubby-to-be were discussing their to-do list.... the marriage license was next.


WHAT?? MARRIAGE LICENSE HASN'T BEEN APPLIED FOR YET?!?!   I could just feel my anxiety swell up and then I started to giggle inside.  Oh this would be sooooooooooooooo like her.  I listened as he discussed that they just need to marry within 72 hours of getting the licence   I knew better...it wasn't get married within 72 hours, it was a waiting period of 72 hours BEFORE getting married!!!!!!!!  Now this conversation was going back and forth at 2:30 on Friday afternoon.  He calls the courthouse....they close at 4 o'clock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They dropped me off with all the flowers to run to the courthouse...the time was close to 3!  I got into my car just knowing that this story wasn't at an end... what they thought and what I knew were two different things.  I had a Chesshire-cat-grin on my face as I  drove home..............we all might be at the courthouse on Tuesday, but this wedding was still going to happen.
picture at courthouse
A few minutes after 4 pm, my future son-in-law calls to tell the story...he won't allow my daughter to tell it.  Yes, it was as I said...72-hour wait.  My daughter had almost lost it.  Then in a last minute save, he asked about a military waiver!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES, YOU READ IT RIGHT!  They were given their marriage licence with a military waiver....so Sunday would be both the wedding AND the marriage on the same day.....what a close save!!

The other thing going through my head was my daughter's command to have her ring cleaned before the ceremony on Sunday.  So hubby-to-be needed to add one more thing to his list.


Wedding day comes....all the nervous and anxious feelings that come with a wedding were flowing.  My daughter giggled and got a little sharp with her mouth.  My future son-in-law got quiet and more sentimental.   We came to the last detail of the day.  Rings were to be tied onto the Bible my future son-in-law had used in his proposal to our daughter.  Benjamin would have the honor of carrying rings and handing them to the pastor for the ring exchange.  We put the groom's ring on the Bible and waited for the wedding assistant to retrieve the bride's ring.

She comes in and looks Nicole in the face and very sweetly says, "well, Nicole... there is just one little problem, but we have it worked out.  Michael forgot your ring, but we have one that looks like it we can use today.  There just won't be any ring pictures today."
This is me in the left hand corner!!  

I was behind her when she got this message.  I said, "no, hold on."  I pulled my wedding ring of 33 years off my finger and slipped it onto my daughter's hand...a GREAT fit!  We tied my ring onto the Bible.

My daughter was married with my wedding ring!

She facebooked and instagrammed their wedding pictures the following morning.  Beautiful!
We didn't take any pictures with my ring on her hand.

There was just something so special to this little forgotten thing.  I felt funny without my ring all through the reception...while grinning that my only daughter married with my ring.

As they drove off in a vintage car....I forgot to get it back!!!  So instead of zero conversation the following day, we were arranging how I would retrieve my ring before they left for their honeymoon.

Now if two stories weren't enough, there just had to be one last one as a great ending.



To save you from all the details.............they only escaped about 1 mile from the wedding venue when they ran out of GAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  In Marine style, he got out of the car with a grin.

All the wonderful stories and at the end of the day they were Mr. and Mrs.!

ps for a future blog: My grandmommy visit was the greatest!!!  I can't wait to have more time to get to know my first grandchild....a two-year-old precious, little boy!

33 Joining in with more words:

Farm Girl said...

Wow well at least you have a sense of humor. I can't believe they ran out of gas!!! That is so funny.
I think you saying what you did about duct tape is so true.
I am so glad that you had a nice visit with your grand son. Just keep those stories coming. I enjoy them all.

Angela said...

You will never be short of stories at your house! I hope you have your ring back now:)

Debbie said...

Oh Janette I laughed aloud when I began reading this morning and my hubby said, "What's so funny?" and I had to read him this whole thing. My daughter and yours could be twins, haha!! I was DEFINITELY the mom with the duct tape over her mouth. In soo many ways we couldn't be more opposite. I was merely the laborer to the side, haha. She too could soundly whip any of her brothers in most any competition...Some day I should tell you all the things that happened while preparing for her wedding to include a near drowning! By the day before the wedding Mel and I were literally BOTH sharp tongued and at different times in tears...soo much pressure, haha. But when she stood at the wedding to thank everyone she had practically every person there (over 200) in tears when she thanked her mom. Made every minute worth it. I am sooo glad everything worked out well for you. These memories will be thumbed over in your mind and enjoyed for years to come. I can't wait for pictures!

Debbie said...

Me again, I just read this to my mom (also thoroughly enjoyed it!) and I remembered a couple of things I wanted to say...You looked WONDERFUL!! And I am soo excited to hear about the new grand baby!! Sooo exciting! OK, that might be it now, haha.

Vee said...

So you've been a grandmama for two years! How exciting!

What a comedy of errors...I hope that rough beginnings mean smooth sailing from here on out. ☺

Angel said...

I was on the edge of my seat as I read this! So glad everything worked out.

How wonderful that they have a record of all the details. I'm sure it will be one of their most cherished gifts.

Cindy said...

I laughed all the way through this post. Those stories make great memories to tell over and over in the future.

Sharon said...

Janette, what a great story. Filled with last-minute anxiety, quick-minded *save the day* moments, humor, and precious sentimental memories. I loved it. Sometimes I wonder how any of us *survive* the whole wedding process!!

Congrats to you and to the newlyweds! Sounds like a day to remember forever!

GOD BLESS!

Christine said...

I was enthralled through your whole post! This is stuff you can't make up! Oh, the stories your family will be telling for YEARS!

The best part was that she was married in your ring! Tears rolled down my cheeks. That is so sentimental and fun(ny) !

Congratulations Grandma!

podso said...

Funny wedding stories that will live forever. The last one amazing --- guess they had a lot on their mind the last few days and not checking the gas gauge. Can't wait to hear more about your precious little one!

Anonymous said...

Goodness! Never a dull moment! I can see this happening with Chickie. I'd call in the duct tape too, and I would be the one silently stressing!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and you look beautiful in the background! More pictures, please!

Patty Marker said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!! What wonderful stories for future generations. Don't you just love their blind faith?
Every time you mention your first grandchild I get misty. We adopted our daughters at four and five years old and my parents and in laws never skipped a beat. They were part of the clan the moment they laid eyes on them. Congratulations to all!

Maryann said...

This was too funny, so glad it all worked out, think of all the "wonderful" stories you will have to tell. Love your sense of humor about it all and yes duct tape is sooo helpful at times!!!! BTW you looked wonderful, and your daughter just beautiful.
Many congratulations on new son in law and grandbaby!!!

Sue Anne McKinney said...

Ha!! Same thing happened in our family with one of our girs...won't say 'who' to protect the identities of the procrastinators. We didn't get the military waiver! Oh well. I also just 'knew' this would happen. Oh well! The big day was going to happen and it did.

myletterstoemily said...

ha ha! what a week!!!! you look gorgeous
and very skinny, by the way. and your ring
saved the day . . . well, that and the duct
tape. :)

cairncottage said...

Whew! The couple is married and you all made it out alive!! Haha! Honestly, I think every couple could tell about all the mishaps at their wedding. My hubby actually forgot my wedding ring at home, too, and there wasn't time to go get it, so I used a friends during the ceremony. One of the groomsman also didn't show (hubby's unreliable brother). Gladly another friend was the right size and all the tux's were at the church already. But we have been married for over 26 years now, so no harm done!
Blessings, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds

Debbie said...

What a fantastic way to start my morning! I just loved all the drama. It makes for much better stories to tell the grandchildren some day. When I got to the part about running out of gas, I literally giggled out loud.

And what a little gift his forgetfulness gave her. I think getting married with YOUR ring is better than using her own. She should start a tradition for her own someday daughters should she havee them.

And you looked BEAUTIFUL!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I loved the movie Brave and your dgt totally rocks. Awesome story. Loved it. And I agree with Debbie...you look beautiful. I love the spice your dgt brings to life.

Pen Wilcock said...

Oh my goodness . . . calm, calm, calm . . . what a story!!

no spring chicken said...

Ah! So much to say. What wonderful memories and all because mom has a sense of humor. ;) I could particularly relate to the marriage license thing. Somehow it was overlooked too long when my daughter got married. Of course, we didn't have the availability of the military waiver so our story has us running to the state capital 3 hours away and meeting up with future hubby on his lunch hour. But we made it!

Congrats mom (grandma) I can't wait to see pics of the newest great news!

Blessings, Debbie

Catherine said...

Dear Janette, I have read every word and am very happy for you. Congratulations! Your daughter made a beautiful bride. Thank you for sharing the events and the pictures.
I pray that your dad is doing well.
God does provide and He is very good. I do believe in miracles and the joy the the Lord brings in His own time.
Blessings dear and xo, Catherine

camp and cottage living said...

Oh Janette
That wedding was sure a memory maker, for sure. You will all be telling these stories for years!
Congrat to your daughter and her husband!
God Bless-Kimberly

Vickie said...

Oh my goodness, Jeanette! I would have been a basket case! Your daughter seems to thrive on doing things her own way AND they seem to work out just fine! And at the end of the day, they were married - and that's the bottom line! What tales they'll have to tell to their kids! What a great post!

Thank you, Jeanette, for your prayers for my sis. It means SO much to me! Sending you a huge hug from my heart to yours! Vickie

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Weddings aren't just a celebration, they are a marathon! Glad there were only a few bumps! And they were small enough to glide over. Too funny about the marriage license!

Crickit said...

What a wedding story... definately one to be told to their grandchildren down the line. I am so glad all worked out. :)

Debbie Petras said...

Well, I have to say that was quite a wedding! From one story to the next, I was transfixed. I couldn't imagine what would come next. Oh my!

And of course, I laughed. It's amazing how stressed and upset we get over things. As I see the response from your daughter and her husband, I just have to shake my head and wish I were more like that. They will have stories to tell their children for sure. I love that.

So glad you survived and got your ring back too.

Love and hugs,
Debbie

Sue said...

Who ever said that God doesn't have a sense of humor sure got it wrong. Wonderful stories and memories to be shared for ever. Just loved this so much.

You looked "Marvelous Darling", looking forward to more wedding posts, and of course getting to meet your new grandchild! 'Ain't God good?" ~smile~

much love to you and Benjamin,
Hugs, Sue

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Oh my! What an adventure that had to have had your heart pumping momma!!! So glad they had a wonderful wedding and that you saved the day with giving your daughter your ring for the ceremony. Now that is something special you will be able to talk about forever and so will your daughter..

Janette, can you tell me how you were able to change your comment button so it says more than just the word comment. I've tried to figure it out but am having no luck.

♥Lee Ann

Canadagirl said...

Leave it to you NOT to have a boring wedding for one of your kids, lol. I don't think you could tell a boring story my friend. I hear a bit of your spark in your dear daughter. Life won't be boring for your dear son in law. [o= Just look at your daughters determination in that pic of her. But I do pray that she will be able to love her hubby in a humble way too. That is such a important lesson to be learned in a marriage. Praying blessings on your dd's marriage.

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

His Song to Sing said...

Girl, you sure have a knack for storytelling but then they gave you lots of material!! Enjoyed this post a lot. Congrats to the newlyweds!

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

I love you and your family so much! We could be related! I knew there'd be a happy ending. Praise BE!
xoxo

Unknown said...

LOL!!! This whole thing cracked me up. You are a much better women than I-I don't know if I could have held int he I told you so. Love you friend. What fun memories.

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