“…Winds whistle shrill, Icy and chill, Little care we; Little we fear Weather…” (William Makepeace Thackeray, “Vanity Fair”)

Married.

We walked out of the temple, hand in hand–and into a freezing, icy, winter wind.

We attempted to take some pictures to mark the occasion, but after the first one or two photos, the wind blew the tripod attached to the camera over (and broke the camera!) So the few wedding day pictures we have were taken with a cell phone. But that’s o.k. because due to the wind, #5′s hair, or mine, was standing on end in about every picture anyway. We’re just grateful we have a photo to mark the occasion. (Thank goodness I had no illusions about looking young or lovely on my wedding day–the ravages of time, remarrying mid-life–43 1/2 years old, to be specific–and the unrelenting wind, took care of all of that! Lol.)

We joined our family at a casual, family-friendly luncheon put together for us by my sisters and a cousin, complete with entertainment. We unofficially called it “The Michael Howard Show” as both performers had that same name! It featured my two favorite singers, my cousin and my new husband. As part of the performance, #5 sang the song he very first sang for me. It has, as he introduced it, “sort of  become ‘our song’.”

And then we were off on a honeymoon, made possible by my new mother-in-law who graciously agreed to stay in our home and take care of the 5 children who still live at home. It was such a gift: to know the kids would be taken care of, and nurtured, and be able to enjoy time with their grandma while we were gone; we didn’t have to worry about a thing. (I was especially worried about my youngest; we experienced a MAJOR change, marriage, and I left him that very day to go on a honeymoon.) Thanks, mom.

“A house needs a grandma in it.” (Louisa May Alcott)

Especially when the parents are on their…honeymoon!