Seems lik a Dream!

I'm seated at my friend Wynn Ann's kitchen table.  The house is quite as everyone is off having their day.  I'm just reviewing the pics I took and realize how many I didn't take, like one with me and the bride, the familiy with the bride.  It was that kind of day - busy buzzing around.
I arrived in Edmonton while the BBQ with the groom's family was underway.  I was made later by the fact that I was put into a non smoking room in which someone had smoked, a lot.  Yuck!  I was going to stick it out because I was already late but thought better of it.  Then the cards for the room wouldn't work and on it went.  Well, I arrived 10 minutes before the event ended but did meet the grooms family. Lovely, friendly people.  I expected no less.  Later that night, as more and more guests arrived from out of town, we relaxed, chatted, and laughed.  It had been years since I had seen some of these people.  Lots to catch up on.  It was after midnight before we shut it down.  I was up early the next morning looking out over a big city scape.

These two industrious young men walked by lugging bags of aluminum cans, likely beer cans to the depot. Let's hope it's not a weekly trip.  If so, someone's got a problem.

Saturday morning, everyone went their separate ways. People with kids headed to West Edmonton Mall, others went shopping and a few went to pick up last minute supplies.  Krista's immediate family and I went to the hall around 5pm for family photos and there she was, stunning in a dress she had redesigned to her own liking with her life partner looking handsome in his suite. 

You know a couple is right for one another when they light up in the other's presence.  Let's just say, I had to wear shades.  This was no ordinary wedding.  The theme was more like a cocktail party.  The intent being people would not just park themselves at one table all night but instead, mingle, chat and get to know one another.  The food was potluck.  There was tons before the guests arrived and even more by the time the place settled down for the ceremony.  Everything took place at the hall, the ceremony, the speeches/entertainment and the dance.  It was a casual, informal event - a bringing together of people they loved, not to impress or awe them with extravagence but to share in a celebration of their union.  People mixed and mingled with ease.  Everyone seemed to know everyone else though that wasn't the case.  It was a brilliant idea and I predict many of the young people there that night will consider the same idea on their special day.  

How's this for informal.  Even Grandma Jean joined the younger crowd seated on the floor.  Way cool grandma!

A few of the cousins posing for the camera

 The award for best dance moves goes to this young man.  What moves he has!  You know the expression Dance Like There's No One Watching?  He does.

Wynn Ann & Kate showing off their diva poses

     Bride with her mom

Life long friends Lisa (left, sister of the bride) and Jen.

The proud parents of the bride.  All they want is for their gooies to be happy.

It was all over too fast.  By 1 a.m. we had cleared out the hall and joined other family members back at the motel to continue the party.  Let's just say a good time was had by all.  You know when a bunch of Newfies get together, it's going to be a laugh and a half!

The next day, Mother's Day, we gathered at Denny's for breakfast.  How we managed to get seats is beyond me but we did.  We were there for at least two hours.  I think they knew we were all together. 

Afterwards, though some had already hit the road and others were still inside eating, the rest of us gathered outside for one last photo, lots of hugs and promises to stay in touch. 

Lisa joined me for the ride back to Three Hills and, as often happens lately, I yinged when I should have yanged but eventually made it home. 

Now I'm sitting here thinking about the more than five weeks I've been on the road, all the changes that life has brought, all the changes in the lives of the people I love (all good) and I'm astounded by how quickly it's all moving by.  A moment ago, Krista was this little girl looking at me from the stroller wondering how she should react to the sight of rushing water under the Coal Creek bridge in Fernie.  Now, she's a married woman making her way in the world, looking inside herself for the answers. 

 Someone asked me over the weekend if I'm tired of the road yet.  No, not even close!  It feels like a moment since I began. I realize though how much I will miss these people, this other family of mine, who have given so much to my life.  I am indeed a  fortunate woman.