May 23, 2010
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Congratulations James And Lenia!
TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM
Today was the wedding (as I supposed you might have guessed) and what a beautiful wedding it was. Of course, how many unlovely weddings have you been to? The church was a kind of mission type architecture, more commonly found in California than seen here in Florida. What I found interesting was the priest was Haitian and he was very uncommon for a priest (or at least one that I have found in recent memory). First of all, he actually SANG to the bride and groom. It was a very interesting song about putting yesterday’s things behind you and that today is a new day. It also said that all things are new with God. Very sweet and not preachy at all. He also had a sense of humor and kept kidding the two kids during the ceremony. Of course, it’s their church they attend every week and the congregation is mixed. The priest speaks four languages that we heard.
Contrary to what our cousin had kind of intimated, the reception was held in the reception hall of another church clear on the south end of town, albeit still close to the ocean. It was a lovely hall and had a patio area complete with fountain. Lenia is from Honduras and a gorgeous woman. James is a good-looking young man (and I am not saying this just because he’s family). The two of them planned this whole wedding together with her mother to the point that even their guest book was custom-made and had cute photos of them opposite each sign in page.
The two of them met at an AA meeting so we assumed that it would be an alcohol free wedding reception but, although only beer and wine was offered, it was not. They told everyone that they are okay with other people having a different lifestyle but theirs is alcohol-free. It was actually difficult to believe that this couple had ever had that kind of a problem but how wonderful that they found each other. They look and act very much in love. They even took dance lessons together to be able to dance at their wedding together and their first dance was a sight to behold. Very cute!
I have to tell you this: Latin weddings are TIRING! ‘Their dancing is so physical and enthusiastic! Even if you mostly watch, it’s exhausting.
Although James is not latin, he adores his (now) wife and her family. They, in turn, have embraced him and it shows. They have also shown the rest of us that they include us in their already large and loving family. They could not have been warmer or friendlier and we all began to feel truly like family. It was a most enjoyable time. No one over-indulged, the children that were there were accepted and not made to feel like they were annoying or misbehaving even when they got a bit underfoot. It’s ALL about family and did *I* enjoy that! The DJ was incredible. I haven’t enjoyed one like I did him. You felt like he was a family friend that was doing a favor that he was enjoying tremendously! He sang along with many of the songs and had a fantastic voice. We heard a lot of comments about that so it wasn’t just our opinion. When we finally were just exhausted, we dragged outselves away from the reception shortly after the cake was cut (and the party was in no way ready to wind down but a lot of us *old* folks were fading…
). We made it home to Cee’s house and Babybrat is already in bed and asleep as I write this. Cee jumped into her dorm shirt, said goodnight and went to watch TV in her bedroom until she falls asleep. I will talk a bit to Bratfink before I call it a night here myself. I have a picture or two of the wedding I hope have turned out but it will have to wait until I get back home before I can even post them. I forgot to bring my card reader with me. *Blush*Love you all and I hope you have a great day. Hasta manana!
