Wedding through the eyes of a child

Last Friday night I took Allan and Daniel to their first wedding (that they can remember). Philip and Stephen were sick so they stayed home. The girl attends our church when her family is in town and the boy's parents and grandparents were influences during my college days.

On the way to the wedding I explained what marriage is and that it's usually celebrated by a wedding. Allan wanted to know when they are actually married (when the wedding starts, when it's over, etc). I told him as soon as the preacher says, "I now pronounce you man and wife" and the groom kisses the bride then they're married. He further questioned if that was when they couldn't divorce, leave each other, etc. and I told him, "Yes". Well....once all the explaining was done that I thought needed to be done we entered the sanctuary and took our seats.

It was a rather large wedding and so when the girls started filing down the aisle Daniel turned to me and in a loud whisper asked, "Are ALL these girls getting married?" I explained the "bridesmaids" thing and he was content with that. The girls were in long red dresses but were wearing white fur capes and so as soon as I answered Daniel's question Allan leaned over and said, "They look like the white witch (from CS Lewis's The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe)but the white witch doesn't carry flowers!" Now, you have to understand that we're about 5 rows from the back on the aisle and so I try to hush him as much as possible while grinning to myself. Then it was time for the entrance of the bride. The doors were closed and the foggers turned on. In a moment as the music heralds the bride's entrance, the doors are flung open and the bride steps out of this cloud. Allan sucked in his breath and said right out loud, "THAT'S the white witch!"

I was just coming out from under my pew when she passed our row and Daniel matter-of-factly observed that her dress made a "nice plow" because her train was gathering up all the rose petals as she moved forward. It was then that I was very thankful we were near the back because this was just the beginning!

Half way through I took out a pen and started jotting down some of their questions and observations but now I can't find the paper! We managed to make it through the ceremony and questions to the point of the pronouncement and I thought we were safe. OH NO! The boys were all eyes watching for the kiss and when they were done Allan turned to me with a sigh and his brow furrowed, "Well mommy, it's too late now."

It was a very enjoyable time! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a wedding through the eyes of a child and it was a lovely wedding. As I sat there watching though...I wouldn't trade "newness" for "comfortableness" in a million years! Wow! There's so much to learn those first few years as you establish a home separate from your parents and routines, traditions, habits, and make the decisions that will set the course for the rest of your lives. NOPE! I'm glad to be an "old" married woman.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed the wedding (and being out until 10:00!)and I was glad that I took them in spite of everything.