My First Big Fat Gay Wedding

I woke feeling rested and refreshed somewhere near 7:30am. I quietly slipped out of bed and headed downstairs to begin my Saturday. After starting some coffee, it wasn’t long before my toes were tucked firmly under the front edge of the Queen Anne recliner belting out 55 sit-ups. Before doing my 50 push-ups, I checked the temperature. It was only 56 degrees. After push-ups I grabbed my fleece and leashed up Ykraps. It was a glorious morning for a walk. The sun was shining against a cool crisp azul sky. Our walk was at a more leisurely pace than usual. After all, it was Saturday. Back at home just after 8am, I poured a cup of coffee then sat down in front of the PC. I enjoyed more than an hour of alone time while the others either slept or watched TV in their rooms. I eventually made my way out into the backyard to survey the lawn, and more pointedly, to check the progress of my strategic lawn overseeding initiative. Some areas are coming along more nicely than others, but that’s to be expected. Mindy was finally up and joined me outside. She quickly took to her patio and bench where she asked me to join her. I did but only briefly and while standing. My mind was racing. I was contemplating my run and what I might be able to accomplish before leaving for the wedding. I asked how she might feel about me simply meeting her at the wedding around 4:30pm in lieu of going up at 2pm. That way, I surmised, I could get the grass cut and watch the Buckeye game. I offered that Jacob could stay home with me too. She agreed at first, but shortly thereafter expressed a stronger desire for me to go along with them. I conceded. Just before 10am I left for my run, for which I ventured out along Trabue & Hague. It was a lovely run, too, with very little traffic to contend with. I was back home after 35-40 minutes. I was hungry and ate half of a leftover hamburger from Thursday night’s dinner. It was satisfying but not totally filling. The Buckeye game was slated to kickoff around noon. There was still a good hour to go. I decided to be proactive and get a jump on my weekend yard chores all the while knowing that I wouldn’t get the bulk of any cutting done. However, I thought that if I could get the whacking and edging done today, I might be able to mow Sunday before soccer. It took me no more than 25 minutes to whack and edge. Glad I did it. I was covered in bits of grass and as a consequence, very itchy. I headed for the shower directly. Shower time correlated with the opening kickoff. I wasn’t in the shower long. I was fortunate enough to see the Buckeyes first touchdown, a fine pass over the middle from Pryor to Sanzenbacher. We all were hungry. I suggested a stop at Burger King in route to Craig’s place. Everyone liked the sound of that. Mindy thought we should leave a little earlier because of the stop, but I disagreed. It would cost us no more than 5 minutes in the drive-thru. We watched the entire first half from home. Meanwhile, Mindy had everything loaded in the Honda, including our dress clothes and cooler, while Jacob and I watched the waning minutes of the first half. We left just as the first half expired. I didn’t elaborate earlier, but because there would be only Budweiser products at the reception, Craig graciously accepted my idea to bring my own cooler of beer. Also, because we were heading up so early so that Bella could get her hair done, we all wore casual comfy clothes for the drive up. Our ceremony attire was packed. The drive went smoothly, as did the stop at Burger King. At Mindy’s suggestion, we waited to eat until we got to Craig’s just after 2pm. The third quarter was well underway when we arrived. Bella headed up to get her hair done straight up. Jacob & I ate and watched the Buckeye game with brother-in-law (uncle) Larry. Time went fast. The Buckeyes cruised to a 38-0 win past over-hyped Toledo. Soon, many other family members began to arrive. Meanwhile, I kept a watchful eye on the Florida Tennessee game. I brought both cameras but didn’t plan to take any photos until the reception out of respect for the professional photographer, who arrived sometime near 4pm. However, while they were busy shooting various family photos, I was encouraged to get some shots too. Hey, you don’t have to ask me twice! In addition to numerous photos, I shot a video clip of brother Craig rehearsing his wedding song, a Carrie Underwood tune. He did a good job. Sometime just after 4pm Mindy sent sister Jody down with my change of clothes. Apparently wedding time was drawing near. I took to the guest bath to change like Superman. I didn’t take long. I emerged a minute or two later in full costume, complete with mask and cape! J Incidentally, the weather was cooperating fully. It was sunny, clear and near 80. About the only drawback was the sunshine shining directly in the eyes of the audience looking west over the pond onto the gazebo, which is where the actual wedding would take place. If memory serves, Craig opened the ceremony with his Carrie Underwood song. He did well, but honestly, not as good as he sounded during rehearsal. Not sure, but I’m guessing he was a tinge nervous. I would’ve been. The procession of participants was next. I managed a photo of them all, including Bella as a flower girl and Jacob as ring bearer. The procession path ventured the small arching bridge over the pond and to the nearby gazebo. I worried that Jacob might trip and drop the rings into the water. However, I later learned that he didn’t have the ‘real’ rings. Somebody was thinking! The ceremony proceeded as planned. It was quick, efficient, yet touching. Many got a little choked up as the vows were read. I was touched. This was my first gay wedding, though honestly, I didn’t give it that much thought at the time. Jessie, the minister presiding over the ceremony, pronounced them wife & wife. I just realized as I am recounting and writing that I left the bag of throwing rice in the car. Damn! The wedding party proceeded to the reception tent just to the north about 100 yards, and then formally invited all their guests to come join in the fun. The couple took greetings and hugs at the tent’s entrance. I snapped numerous photos. The next hour or two was spent greeting, eating, and drinking. It was fun! The wedding dinner was catered by Spaghetti Warehouse – lasagna. It was delicious! During dinner there were several speeches made honoring both Katie & Julie. All were quite good – touching. Once dinner was over the DJ slowly raised the tempo. And just as the sun was setting he got it cranked up. By the way, I got a few photos of an absolutely gorgeous sunset. Awesome!!! The dance floor filled up fast with a mix of friends and family. Generally it takes a few minutes to get everyone going, but not here. Mindy danced. I danced. The kids danced, although Bella, being the drama queen that she is, started crying for the loudness. I swooped her up and danced with her in my arms for a while. In doing so, I worked up quite a sweat. Fun was being had by all, or so it seemed. But as much as fun as we were having it was getting late and the kids were getting tired. As 10pm neared we gathered our gear and prepared to depart. We did our best to bid everyone farewell, including Camilla, who we most likely wouldn’t see again for who knows how long. She’s scheduled to fly home to Denmark Monday evening. Mindy drove home, though either of us could’ve. She hadn’t drunk anything since dinner – about three hours earlier. I couldn’t say the same. The drive went quickly. The kids were very tired by the time we arrived at home. Like the night before, Mindy got the kids ready for bed. I popped some popcorn. From the railing, Bella asked if she could have some. I invited her down. She and I shared 2 bags. Mindy headed off to bed while Bella and I remained awake watching TV. I can’t recall what we were watching. Bella wasn’t far behind her mother. It couldn’t have been ten minutes later that she headed up. I stayed up for a while longer, eventually heading to my PC to download wedding photos. Between my two cameras, I took about 240 on Saturday alone. It wasn’t too much longer before I started dosing off from the comfort of the sofa.