What a couple of nights. Reiko is officially married, and the whole thing went off without a hitch. The rehearsal was maddeningly long, if only because after the first clueless dry run the bride’s maids broke everything down and rewrote the hole thing. Seriously, we kept just thinking of ways to make it more streamline and just put little hints of tradition. So, we rehearsed one, figured out all the problems , redid everything (which took for ever), then there was the dinner for everyone who attended the rehearsal.
One thing that was really cool was, Chibi came to hang out with me around 2...well, the rehearsal was at 3:45. Reiko told her that she was invited to the rehearsal and the dinner afterwards, but Chibi had said that she had made dinner plans with her Dad. She said that she would hang out till around 5ish, and then leave to eat with her dad. Chibi hung out with me while we waited for everyone to arrive, and she hung out while we practised, which must’ve been boring. I looked up at like 4:45 and she was still there, and I was like, “Uh, Chibi, don’t you need to leave?” and she was like, “No. Dad called me and said he has to stay at work, so I’m gonna just stay here.” So, it was so fun. After the whole process of, you know, rehearsing. We went and hung out and ate and made fun of each other and had fun! It was great. The most fun wedding rehearsal I’ve been to...actually, now that I’m thinking about it, I’m wondering if it’s the only one I’ve been too...O..O
We came back here, and Jim and Reiko opened their Christmas presents, which was fun. Then Reiko asked Chibi and I if we’d go back to her house and help her pack up some stuff. I was exhausted, but so was Reiko, so I couldn’t really say no. We went there and came back, and tried to help Reiko’s mom with decorating the reception hall and all.....but I really was exhausted at that point. So I got upstairs and took my shower. It occurred to me that I wouldn’t be as alert the next morning as I might have hoped. So I sprayed some of that stuff that helps your hair to keep heating products from damaging it, and then I let it dry natural for a bit and then blow dried the rest of the way. Then I just straightened it as much as I could. By the time I passed out it was nearing 1 in the morning.
I woke up this morning around 7:15...I was kinda surprised, and seriously dragging, but I made myself get up and straighten my hair. I got dressed and went downstairs. I’m walking to my car and I hear someone call my name and it’s Jim and his family. They want to know where we could go and eat breakfast. We ended up at Wafflehouse and even if the it a skeezie place, they did make an excellent sausage, egg and cheese biscuit. I have to give them that. We had fun talking and enjoying our food and coffee. Jim’s Uncle told him, “It’s not too late, Jimmy...we could take you back to Kentwood.” and I turned to Jim with big pleading eyes and said, “It’s a better life for you there, Jim! It’s a better life for you in Kentwood!” he cracked up and said, “I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment. Then..I’m not sure why, but we went to the Harley Davidson shop that was right next door. I was like, “So, Jim....you more of an ‘Easy-Rider’ man or a ‘Crotch Rocket’?” He grins and retorts with, “Nah, Reiko’s more of the Crotch Rocket. I’m easy rider all the way.” I laughed myself silly at that. We looked around a bit and then just headed back to the hotel.
I made sure my hair was read and put on all my make up. Then I went to the church. Since I was the only one who had their hair and make up right, I went ahead and put on my dress first. It was a fight to get it on, and really I didn’t like it very much. It was too broad up top, and the sleeves weren’t as nice as I thought they’d be, and it wasn’t low in back but it was low enough that I couldn’t wear my bra =..= But I dealt with it and just sucked it up. Tabby (one of the other bride’s maids) had brought that skin to fabric tape, and I needed the side of the dress to be taken in slightly under the arm, so we did that. Then Tabby put on her dress....
Oh...sweet....God....Tabby is small, right? Like, make you sick small. She had told the dress shop that she’d probably be fine in a size 6, but they insisted she get an 8 and then allow them to take it in. Well, she went along with it, but she didn’t realise they were going to charge her over $80 in alterations. Then...she put the dress on....and it hovered over her chest so far, if she so much as moved she’d end up flashing us. She was so upset, and rightly so! So, we took it in ourselves - first with safety pins and then with actually sewing it. Then she just used the tape, and there was a shall/wrap that came with the dress, so she used that to make sure it didn’t seem weird.
Hollis, on the other hand (the only remaining bride’s maid) looked awesome, and needed almost no alteration to her dress. I mean, we all needed help situating ourselves and zipping up and adjusting our trains and sashes, but over all, I think we just pulled together and helped each other out and that’s what made it all great.
While we were getting ready, Reiko was taking her pre-wedding Bridal pictures. Then, once we were all as ready as we were going to be, we all took pictures together. The photographer girl was smart enough to set the camera up to take like 5 pictures one after the other, so if any of us blinked or our faces just didn’t look right, it would continue to take pictures. We tried various poses - some silly (shocking I know!) and some formal. By the time she was done with us and ready for the boys, she came over to us and said “Wow...so that’s 630 pictures taken, and the wedding hasn’t even started yet.” We laughed at that.
We waited in the rooms adjacent to the baptismal while the boys filed in through the side doors, and then when the pastor assured us they were all inside and wouldn’t see Reiko, we all left out the bak way to the next door area to wait till the ceramony started. When it was finally time for us to go, we gathered in the foyer. Mr. Ernie, Reiko’s dad, came over and thanked me for coming down and going through all this. As we were talking, I mentioned to him that, when the pastor asked “Who gives this woman to be married?” he kept saying, “I do.” and it was a little odd to me. He asked why and I told him that it should be “Her mother and I do.” because Mrs. Marry Jane has been orchestrating all this and she’s giving Reiko away as much as (if not more than) he was. So he nodded and said it did sound better.
The Wedding itself....was a very big slice of awesome. Everything pretty much went off without a hitch. And I find that the bride’s maids really did work as a unit. I mean, in the foyer, while we were waiting, I check both the girls’ trains and make sure their dresses are situated. And then whenever I’d have to move (to adjust Reiko’s train and help her, or to give the rings or sign as a witness), Hollis would lean in and tell me if I needed to move a smidgen, or she’d adjust my train. So, we really watched out for each other and helped each other out. I really think that’s why the wedding went off without a hitch.
I had Jim’s ring...and it’s a simple silver band with a celtic weave inlay into it.....and I have no pockets. So I kind had to slip it only my thumb and hide it under my other hand as I clutched my bouquet. Though, really, aside from handing over the rings and signing as a witness (my name’s the first signature on that paper!) my job was really to see that her train was fluffed and out behind her....then return to my spot. That was it. I must say that I did tear up just a tiny bit when they were reading their vows to one another and when her Dad walked her down the isle. But I kinda just made myself get over it and focus on what I was doing.
After Reiko and Jim went down the isle, I joined with my groom’s man and when we got to them in the foyer, we all high fived each other! It was hilarious! We were all high fiving, like total dorks. Then they received a few congradulations and made their get away. We lingered for a little while, mainly talking amongst ourselves. Then...we gathered up everything (along with a few of Reiko’s things) and headed back to the hotel for the reception.
Chibi and I were the informal DJs...as well as the Video-ographers....Chibi had to record everything while the ceremony was going on (I couldn't do it being a bride’s made), but during the reception, we shared the ownership of both titles. We worked the music and the camera. When I had to take pictures, Chibi had the camera. After all the pictures were taken, it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance. Chibi was supposed to announce it, but she didn’t really want to (nor did she have the voice for it really), so she asked me to do it. So I told her to record me and I’d do it.
Admitedly...I have s et of pipes on me...a strong voice really, one that cuts through noise and above chatter. I boomed out, “Can I have your attention, please!” then once the hush had fallen, I followed with, “It’s now time for the first dance...will the lovely bride and her dashing groom please report to the dance floor!” ....and promptly came to near tears again at the sight of them slow dancing. It was very nice and very sweet. There were a couple of moments like that...like the last real dance which was between Reiko and her dad and Jim and his mom. Moments that just hits you, you know? And it made all the joking fade away, and the gravity of the event settled with a profound clarity. I was happy...and I wanted to cry.
Then, we ate cake! Oooh, and it was some good cake! Reiko remarked that the frosting was amazing, and I have to agree, but the cake in general was just good. Then she reminded me of the price, and Ladies and Gentlemen, I can now say that I’ve tasted a $300 cake and it was good....not as good as my sushi, but definitely good.
There were a few more silly dances. We caught some great stuff of the reception on the DVD....we were some of the great stuff on the DVD XD. But...the time ran out. About 45 minutes afterwards, I really couldn’t take the pain in my feet any longer. There were maybe a dozen people in there, and I knew that I had blisters and aching feet now with a down bed and wonderful shower upstairs. So I quit decided to quit the party. I gave Reiko a hug and a kiss and told her goodnight and the same with her mother and father. I looked at Jim and said, “Permission to hug?” He looked away, let out a sigh and nodded reluctantly, giving me a one-arm embrace. I’ll take what I can get.
I limped upstairs and showered...by then, my feet were so bad and I was in so much pain, I made sure to do very little walking. Mom took pity on me and rubbed lotion on my feet and massaged them carefully for quite some time. Tomorrow is church, but afterwards I intend to go to the movies with Chibi...she won’t be in town much longer, and I would love to spend more time with her. Then Monday, I’ll be driving to Abbeville to pick up Scamp and Brian for a day together with sushi and just hanging out.
...today was the most wonderful day...
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