Two Weddings
I encountered several of the village women at the wedding for the Belgian’s daughter on September 1. It was a gorgeous day and an exquisite event, but when my blog came up, I got my butt kicked. They made it clear that they wanted their own names, as opposed to being, for example, Mrs. #1. I have taken my shortcomings to heart and will change. They all supposedly have come up with aliases, aka bar names, to use when they are out as a group. Once they read this – which will be never – they can email me their bar name and I’ll refer to them by it going forward. Smash the patriarchy!
Back to the wedding. We got shuttled from Foster City to the venue, Regale Winery in Los Gatos. This was a high-end event. I’d expect nothing less from The Belgian and his wife, Mrs. Belgian. Being the lushes we are, we tried to get some wine before the ceremony, but they explained they were only serving soft drinks. It was quite warm, so they provided parasols, which has always been a good look for me. The ceremony was touching.
We got seated with other village folks for dinner. They wisely keep us away from the general population. Each table had small commemorative gifts of jam for all the attendees. I walked over to another one of the village tables and tried to pocket theirs but was thwarted. After chowing down, we went inside for drinks and dancing. I jumped around a little bit then settled in for a few glasses of vino and small talk. We applauded the bride and groom as they exited and then it was back on the bus for home.
The next wedding was this past weekend in Ann Arbor. The Wig’s oldest tied the knot. He and his wife are both doctors at the university. We made a week’s vacation of the event, flying into Chicago on 9/14. We checked into The Majestic, which is across the street from The Wig’s pied-à-terre. Dr. Joe and his better half were in town as well. The Wig and wife treated us to dinner that night at Gibson’s, a Chicago institution. Most of us had martinis served in a bucket, which apparently caused my wife to not recall eating her steak. However, I’m always present. The food and company were first rate.
The next day The Wig treated us all to a game at Wrigley. I’m trying to figure out why he still hangs with me when my wallet requires a crowbar, but who am I to question his generosity. Mrs. Wig – you got a bar name? – escorted my wife and I down to the section of the park where they provide first timers to Wrigley a certificate. Mine is now proudly displayed in my home office. The Cubs crushed the Pirates, though their wild card chances are rapidly fading now. That evening we had a good Italian meal not far from our base. I brought my crowbar.
Monday the good doctor headed to Philly for business, The Wigs were off to Ann Arbor, and the rest of us headed to Benton Harbor, MI for a few days next to Lake Michigan. Tuesday, we headed over to Spring Lake, which is part of the Grand Haven metropolitan area. Mrs. #1’s mom lives there so we stopped in to take her out to lunch. She said she was treating. I said damn right you are after we drove two hours to get there. I kid. I remembered my crowbar. It was great to see her. We last saw her at yet another wedding, that of her grandson back in June. She is doing well and enjoys the company of family and friends where she grew up.
Dr. Joe showed up on Wednesday evening. We lit a fire and watched the monarch butterfly migration by the lake. We spent Thursday at Warren Dunes State Park. I love a sand dune as much as the next guy. We had a rooftop dinner at Ryebelle’s in St. Joseph that evening.
Friday we were off to Ann Arbor. The last time the wife and I were there was 30 years ago, when we visited The Wolv. The thing that stuck out in my mind about that visit was the drive thru place for beer. I did not check it out this time around.
We settled into The Graduate, which was conveniently located near several of the event venues. We walked over to the Arbor Brewing Company that evening and chatted up several of the family and friends. My wife got a chance to meet my Binghamton dorm RA and his lovely wife. I had not seen them since they graciously visited me when I was in the rehab hospital in 1999. We all had a great time and then went back to the hotel to rest up for the main event.
The wedding venue was a beautiful old barn that was lovingly restored. I must admit I misted up a little as I heard the bride and groom recite the vows they had written. The groom’s younger brother was both the best man and the officiant. The couple’s dog was the ring bearer. They put out baskets of lavender to toss instead of rice.
Immediately after signature cocktails, Manhattans and Last Words, were served. PBR was the signature cocktail at my wedding. We then sat down for an abundant meal. They had beef, chicken and salmon. I tried them all. After dinner they had a very good live band performing, so I jumped around some more.
We said our goodbyes after brunch the next day. I realized today that I had forgotten to tell the story of the three rings of marriage to the groom, so I texted his brother to make sure he shared it with him the next time they talked.
Back to the wedding. We got shuttled from Foster City to the venue, Regale Winery in Los Gatos. This was a high-end event. I’d expect nothing less from The Belgian and his wife, Mrs. Belgian. Being the lushes we are, we tried to get some wine before the ceremony, but they explained they were only serving soft drinks. It was quite warm, so they provided parasols, which has always been a good look for me. The ceremony was touching.
We got seated with other village folks for dinner. They wisely keep us away from the general population. Each table had small commemorative gifts of jam for all the attendees. I walked over to another one of the village tables and tried to pocket theirs but was thwarted. After chowing down, we went inside for drinks and dancing. I jumped around a little bit then settled in for a few glasses of vino and small talk. We applauded the bride and groom as they exited and then it was back on the bus for home.
The next wedding was this past weekend in Ann Arbor. The Wig’s oldest tied the knot. He and his wife are both doctors at the university. We made a week’s vacation of the event, flying into Chicago on 9/14. We checked into The Majestic, which is across the street from The Wig’s pied-à-terre. Dr. Joe and his better half were in town as well. The Wig and wife treated us to dinner that night at Gibson’s, a Chicago institution. Most of us had martinis served in a bucket, which apparently caused my wife to not recall eating her steak. However, I’m always present. The food and company were first rate.
The next day The Wig treated us all to a game at Wrigley. I’m trying to figure out why he still hangs with me when my wallet requires a crowbar, but who am I to question his generosity. Mrs. Wig – you got a bar name? – escorted my wife and I down to the section of the park where they provide first timers to Wrigley a certificate. Mine is now proudly displayed in my home office. The Cubs crushed the Pirates, though their wild card chances are rapidly fading now. That evening we had a good Italian meal not far from our base. I brought my crowbar.
Monday the good doctor headed to Philly for business, The Wigs were off to Ann Arbor, and the rest of us headed to Benton Harbor, MI for a few days next to Lake Michigan. Tuesday, we headed over to Spring Lake, which is part of the Grand Haven metropolitan area. Mrs. #1’s mom lives there so we stopped in to take her out to lunch. She said she was treating. I said damn right you are after we drove two hours to get there. I kid. I remembered my crowbar. It was great to see her. We last saw her at yet another wedding, that of her grandson back in June. She is doing well and enjoys the company of family and friends where she grew up.
Dr. Joe showed up on Wednesday evening. We lit a fire and watched the monarch butterfly migration by the lake. We spent Thursday at Warren Dunes State Park. I love a sand dune as much as the next guy. We had a rooftop dinner at Ryebelle’s in St. Joseph that evening.
Friday we were off to Ann Arbor. The last time the wife and I were there was 30 years ago, when we visited The Wolv. The thing that stuck out in my mind about that visit was the drive thru place for beer. I did not check it out this time around.
We settled into The Graduate, which was conveniently located near several of the event venues. We walked over to the Arbor Brewing Company that evening and chatted up several of the family and friends. My wife got a chance to meet my Binghamton dorm RA and his lovely wife. I had not seen them since they graciously visited me when I was in the rehab hospital in 1999. We all had a great time and then went back to the hotel to rest up for the main event.
The wedding venue was a beautiful old barn that was lovingly restored. I must admit I misted up a little as I heard the bride and groom recite the vows they had written. The groom’s younger brother was both the best man and the officiant. The couple’s dog was the ring bearer. They put out baskets of lavender to toss instead of rice.
Immediately after signature cocktails, Manhattans and Last Words, were served. PBR was the signature cocktail at my wedding. We then sat down for an abundant meal. They had beef, chicken and salmon. I tried them all. After dinner they had a very good live band performing, so I jumped around some more.
We said our goodbyes after brunch the next day. I realized today that I had forgotten to tell the story of the three rings of marriage to the groom, so I texted his brother to make sure he shared it with him the next time they talked.
posted by DJ @ 1:10 PM
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