Wedding Eve Day

I didn't take nearly enough pictures today. You'll have to forgive me. I plead over-stimulation and a bit of chaos and a whole lot going on. But that's what the stage part of the land co-op's community center looks like. Today it was a staging area for the flower arrangements. We made SO many flower arrangements. Rachel had ordered flowers from Costco. They had been delivered to Jessie's house where she took them out of their boxes, cut the stems, and placed them in buckets of water and then transported them to the venue. 
Rachel had sent out the call for vases and for platters. The vases to be filled with flowers, of course, the platters to be filled with the cookies. 

The first person I saw when I pulled up was my ex-husband, Hank's bio-dad. He was there to help with the sound system. He'd lent them an amp or a speaker or one of those sound-things that bands use. There will be no band at the wedding reception but there will be a DJ. 

Then I saw my dear buddy Juancho whom I met through blogging many, many years ago and he and his now-wife Melissa are as much a part of our family as anyone. He's doing the ceremony, having gotten his credentials as a clergy member from an online service that provides such things and yes, it is legal, and yes, you used to do this via an ad in the back of Rolling Stone magazine. Anyway, I was just so glad to see the man. It's been way too long. I see Melissa slightly more often as she is the darling who cuts our hair. 

Jacob, the best man was there, and Taylor B. not to be confused with Tay-Tay Taylor, who was also there. Taylor B. is going to be the point person tomorrow. She will make sure everything goes as planned. She is excellent at this. She and Hank, on their own, used to organize and put on a festival every year in Tallahassee. 

Taylor B. is the gal with the very red hair that matches her very red skirt. 

Slowly things began to happen as to decorations and preparations. Rachel had asked if I would do the labels for the cookies and I said I would happily do that. I love to write things out by hand. 

There were a lot of labels. There are going to be a lot of cookies. We're talking thousands maybe. Oh, probably not but well into the hundreds and hundreds. 

Jessie started stringing twinkle lights. 

It's good to be tall. 

May and Lily started making flower arrangements, filling vases.

May made both Rachel's bouquet and her bridesmaid Tia's bouquet. Lavender roses, ivory roses, calla lilies. So pretty. 

Tay-Tay and her husband Paul arrived from Texas where they moved to some years ago. Taylor is another family member who just doesn't happen to share DNA. 

Mr. Moon was set to work doing something with candles, I think, and Rachel began setting up the cookie table and I joined in the flower arranging with Lily, May, and Jessie, but the force was not in me today. I made a few arrangements but was pleased with none. Mr. Moon was sent out for more twinkle lights. 

May should open a damn flower shop and hire her sisters to work with her. 

Our friend Lindsey sat at another table and made garlands and other things from silk flowers that I really am not sure are going to be used for. 

And that is how the afternoon went by. We got the tables all covered and Glen got back with the extra lights which he helped Jessie hang and then Jessie hung the paper lanterns, and Rachel's best friend and bridesmaid, arrived with her mother and newish husband. Tia is Rachel's for-sure sister friend from childhood. Her wedding was about a year ago and her husband, Pablo, is one of the most ebullient people I've ever met. He and Tia are expecting a baby soon. So much joy at that reunion.

Are you keeping up with all of this? Good. There may be a quiz later. 

And so it's been a good day but a day of way more socialization than I've experienced in quite awhile and tomorrow there will be even more. I am going to do my best to be as fully in the moment as I can be, to enjoy and allow myself to feel the love and joy that will be all around me. So many people are coming to celebrate Hank and Rachel- many of them people whom I love dearly and who all love Hank and Rachel. Our family will be together, and there will be a table for Levon's presents. 

My boy. My only boy is getting married tomorrow. The last of my children to wed. And his bride is a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul who loves him the way I would want his life partner to love him and he loves her with all his heart. 

Phew. It's a lot, y'all. 

I may not get in a report tomorrow. We shall see. But if not then, then definitely on Sunday. There will be pictures.

Love...Ms. Moon