I suppose you’d like one for all those pictures I threw up here — pictures from the Blackberry because I was stupid and forgot the good camera for which I am kicking myself.
A long, long time ago my high school sweetheart and I broke up over his roommate, who I subsequently married. Said roommate had a sister who I became (and remain) great friends with. About 26 years ago, ex-boyfriend called heartbroken because he’d been dumped. The wheels of my plot were set in motion that night.
Sister-in-law was living with us at the time, with her young son. I invited ex-boyfriend over to the house to drown his sorrows, then left for the market. A year later, I stood up at their wedding.
It’s 25 years later, their son is married, a business owner and their daughter is a (very tall) lovely college graduate who has a lovely boyfriend with a great sense of humor. They threw a party for their parents. A vow renewal. I thought it would be pretty straight up, but when Elvis came out to do the ceremony, everything changed into a great celebration of a couple who, through thick and thin, has stayed together and remains committed.
I take no credit for anything beyond introducing them. As incompatible as I may have been with my ex-husband, I truly love his sister and regard her as the salt of the earth, and let’s face it — that first boyfriend always has a special place, so it was only natural to play matchmaker where it seemed so — necessary. She’s the kind of person who keeps everything glued together no matter what, that reliable, steady type who just really loves her life and those in it. The folks at the party tonight reflect the strength of their partnership.
The party was grand, from the appetizers, to the soup, to the salad, to the filet and fish. But seeing their daughter’s boyfriend marry them (having been ordained in the Dudeist church) — that was something special. Hence, the spatter of photos.
I loved sitting at a table of strangers half my age and extolling the virtues of the Blackberry over the iPhone. Technology is the great equalizer — there were things they knew that I didn’t, and vice versa. What fun it was to hang out and not feel old or intrusive! Hearing their kids talk about how cool it was to have parents that stayed together and talk about how they wanted to honor that — also very cool.
Perspective and nostalgia, all in one evening. Merging my past into my present, seeing the next new generation admiring the older while forming the newer, all wrapped up in Elvis priest.
A night to remember.
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