From: ssalter@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (-=[SLS]=-)
Subject: Wedding and etcetera...[part 1]
Organization: OFSA
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 17:17:52 GMT

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Hi all, here is the first post out of probably three that chronicles
the wedding and honeymoon. This is the day BEFORE the wedding, the
lines that have a  >  in front of them are mine, the others are
Julie's, that is, my wife's. *sigh*
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> 
> 		Friday : September 18, 1992
> 		===========================
> 
> 	The alarm goes off at 6:00 and I arise to shower and get ready
> for work. I have a busy day ahead of me! I have a list a page long of
> things that will be happening the next couple of days. The previous
> night Julie's mother and sister arrived and we all went out to eat.
> Her sister, Susan, was easy to feel comfortable with, as I had already
> found out about her mother from a previous visit a couple of
> months ago.

	I had taked off Thursday and Friday so as to finish last minute
things and visit with my Mom and Sister some.  I hated to see Steven leave
for the day this morning.  I wanted to have him with me.  But, I knew that we
would be together for a wonderful honeymoon, so I kissed him goodbye as he
trotted off to work.

Dinner with my Mom, Sister, Aunt and Uncle was nice.  I had warned Steven
about my sister and her constant talking, but I don't think anything prepared
him for what happened.  She's a lovely lady, but she LOVES to talk!  We did
all have a good time though....


> 	I put in a full day, loading up my techs with work for the
> next week and arranging continued training for the new engineer. I
> polish off a few things and then finalize the wedding ceremony on
> paper, adding a border to make it pretty. I pick up the key for the
> shelterhouse at the park office and pick up my two youngest children
> from school. We then swing by and pick up my oldest and head out to
> Twin Lakes park.  I had loaded my lawnmower in the back of the pickup
> just in case the park maintenance crew hadn't mowed the path and
> clearing in the woods to my satisfaction. Good decision that was since
> they had somehow neglected to mow at all, as they had promised to. Ah
> well, I whip off my shirt and start mowing away at the waist high
> weeds. Julie and her sister arrive as do Erin and his lovely
> girlfriend Kathy. Then others start arriving just as I finish up
> throwing old tree limbs off to the side and complete my mowing. Ahhh,
> a nice path curving back into the woods and a medium size clearing
> where we will be having the actual ceremony. A small stream flows
> sluggishly past and a light breeze ruffles the leaves of the trees.

	Now, I'm sure you've all heard rumors that I nearly lost it when 
Steven took off his shirt, and I want to assure you....its true.  Oh ladies,
he looks so GOOOOOOD with no shirt on....all sweaty, muscles tight from the
effort....Oh Dear....excuse while I go wash my face....
 

> 
> 	Everyone is in attendance and we run through the rehearsal
> twice to make sure...Julie and I don't say the vows but I think it is
> a good idea to practice the kiss at the end...don't wanna mess that
> up, y'know! We then retire to the shelterhouse for a big spread laid
> out by my mother. After this is finished I have to pick up some black
> shoes for my oldest son since his feet turn out to be a size and a
> half larger than mine...so much for saving money by loaning him a pair
> of my shoes! Sheesh, this kid is about an inch and a half taller than
> me now...where has time gone? Oh yeah, he IS 15 now, isn't he?!


	The rehearsal was real fun.  Steven made it even funner by insisting
we practice the kiss again...and again....and again.  He even tried one of
those Hollywood kisses where he tipped my back....I think he sucked all my
air out because for some reason, I couldn't breath.  Maybe it was just the
realization that I would be doing this for REAL the following day.  Everyone
seemed entertained with our kisses.  Even the judge mentioned that we did
that part real well....


> 	By the time I get back home, John Turner has already arrived
> from his journey from Texas and after a couple hours, Ruthie, from
> Massachusetts arrives. The kids are really excited but we manage to
> get them set in bed at a fairly reasonable hour. Julie and I finally
> retire to bed after opening a few gifts. John has presented us with a
> LARGE cast iron skillet and a set of bowls that , of course, match our
> design as listed at Service Merchandise. Ruthie awes us with handmade
> doilies...I have seen doilies before but never as intricate and
> beautiful as these! Interestingly enough, one of them has some rolled
> up green paper tubes that I palm before I hand the doily around for
> the others to inspect! *grin* John's present of the skillet completes
> our wants for cast iron cookware, ahhhh, all set now with the new
> microwave oven that members of my family all chipped in to buy, the table
> service and plates and bowls and etc etc etc...

	It was wonderful to see John again.  And we finally got to meat Ruthie 
a long time emailee of Steven's and a new friend of mine.  The doilies were
absolutely beautiful!  And they looked very nice under our oil lamps on the
piano.  Everyone seemed so excited, and the house had a festive spirit.
Steven and I were so tired from all the running and doing.  It was nice
to sink into one another arms knowing it was our last night as single
people!

 
> 	An errant thought wafts through my head as Julie and I drift
> off to sleep. This is the last time I will be lying here next to Julie
> MALONE. ....

	So many things crossed my mind.....that I would be spending the rest 
of my life with this man...falling asleep in his arms forever.....

> 
> -end Friday, September 18, 1992.
> 
>  Steve