Something New

So I went to the wedding and it was so much more than I imagined. Again, shame on me for thinking it would be any less than other weddings I've been to just because the groom walks to a different beat.
The wedding and reception were both held at the same location, a local golf and country club. When we arrived we were directed to wait in the bar area until the wedding party was ready. I could see the chairs set up outside in front of a small gazebo with the golf course and a small pond in the background. I was standing there talking with my mom when I heard a familiar voice. It was Steven. He was dressed in a light blue, short sleeved, Tommy Bahama style shirt and khaki pants. He came over to me and gave me a humongous hug, something he is known for. I told him how handsome he looked and how happy I was for him to which he replied with a smile "Uh-huh, yep". My aunt and her partner were right behind him ready to go out to the courtyard. We were directed to take a seat outside as the wedding would soon be starting. Each guest had been given a fan with the happy couples picture on it as a wedding memento And what a smart momento for an outdoor Florida wedding in June. Brad and I sat in the front row, as I didn't want to miss a thing. The music started and Steven came down the concrete walkway with my aunt and her partner each holding his hand. He looked so handsome and so happy, smiling ear to ear. They stood by him in the gazebo and looked on with him as his bride came from behind the doors and walked down the aisle on her father's arm. Never one to get dressed up or wear makeup, she looked beautiful in her white gown and painted face. I looked back at Steven, wanting to see his face, and he looked like a little kid being brought a pony. He was so happy! When she began to climb the steps to the gazebo Steven started to cry and I thought I was going to lose it right then and there. They took each others hands, read their vows and then kissed. It was beautiful!!
 Back inside at the reception we got ourselves a drink and some appetizers while the wedding party took pictures. The tables were decorated with metal sandpails filled with bright colored Gerbera Daisys and pastel roses. We made our way to our seats just in time for Steven and his bride to enter the room as husband and wife and to have their first dance. Tears were already welling in the rims of my eyes before the music started, but when Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life" began to play and Steven put his hands on his wife's waist and started clumsily bouncing back and forth the floodgates opened. I was a mess! You'd think I was at a funeral and the casket had just passed by. It was just such an amazing sight to see this man who I never thought in a million years would get married "dancing" with his new bride to a song that pretty much says it all. It was extremely emotional. So they finish their dance and then Steven's mom comes out to the floor. I had sopped up all my tears with my dinner napkin, but I should have waited because no sooner had I dabbed the last one when Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" came on as Steven hugged his mom and kissed her cheek repeatedly on the dance floor. OMG!!! I couldn't take it!!! Everyone was laughing at me as I broke down in my seat. It was just so touching and such a rare sight. I felt so honored to be there. And if I may say, Brad had some tears of his own, I mean come now, this is our world.
Dancing done, it was time for the toasts. The brides brother gave a humorous speech about how his sister chose the most inoppportune moment to tell him she had found "the one". Seems he was getting ready to score big on his video game when she interrupted him with her big news. He talked about how much he loved Steven and was so happy for them. Then Steven's father gave a speech, which again turned on the waterworks. He told about how when Steven was just four years old he could map his way out to Disneyworld and back. He talked about what a cute little guy he was and how smart he was and how happy he was for the couple. Then my aunts gave their toast. They both stood with Steven and his wife. They talked about how the one thing they loved most about Steven was his innocence and how he had changed their lives so much and how much they loved him. It was beautiful.
After that it was time to party!!! They picked such awesome music....lots of oldies, Tony Bennet, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra. Then after everyone had eaten the DJ broke out the dancing tunes. And I love me some dancing music. Brad and I hit the floor, cutting a rug to "Brick House", "I Will Survive", and "Superfreak". And Steven was right out there, dancing away. The thing with Steven is that like everything else he does, he has his own way of dancing. He likes to take you by both hands and spin around. It can get out of control quite easily and has. My aunt and him went over a ledge once! He also likes to bounce back and forth or form a line with everyones hands on each others waist and kick legs. So that's what we did. It was so much fun!
When it came time to cut the cake, the DJ was teasing Steven about being the first one to feed the cake so he better be nice if he didn't want cake in his face. But Steven didn't "get it". You see, it would never even cross his mind to smear cake on his new brides face. He placed it gently in her mouth and when it was her turn he squinted his eyes as tight as he could and opened up wide....adorable!!
We danced for hours. Sweat was pouring off me. I didn't expect to have such a good time! We stayed for the last song, which happened to be Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". We were all out there on the floor "Mama Mia"ing and looking like a bad Broadway show. It was hilarious!
Before we left I went over to Steven and hugged him as tight as I could. I told him again how much I loved him and how happy I was for him. "You did such a good job tonight and you look so handsome!" I told him. I didn't want to let him go. "You have a fabulous time in Paris and take lots of pictures!!!" Which if you know Steven, then you know there will be LOTS of pictures. "Bon Jour!!" I said as we left.
Driving home we all talked about what fun we had and what a fabulous wedding it was. We were all surprised at the fun we had and isn't that a surprise in itself! You'd think us of all people would know not to judge.
So Steven is in Paris. He called my aunts when they arrived to let them know they were there. I can't wait to hear all about it and see the pictures. I still cannot believe he is on his honeymoon...in PARIS!!! It just goes to show you that you never know. That silly old cricket was right, dreams really do come true. And I am so thankful I was there to see it happen!!