10-5-2006 Rehearsal Dinner
We made it to Boston. I drove through the Big Dig
under the city of Boston while Stan navigated and we made it right
to John’s house in Somerville. I learned that hearing Stan say,
“This Way. This Way.” doesn’t really tell me anything
on busy highways. Left or Right are really required
when you have seconds to change lanes in busy traffic
and crossing highways.
While John and Rachel were working on Wed, we had a
chance to empty out the car and tidy it up a bit
before they came home. Although we hadn’t reached
Jamela by phone, we had verified with the owner of Pet
Peeves that the dogs were dropped off at doggy day
care (actually week care) as scheduled. They have
such a good deal for dogs. The dogs are in an old house
and have their own bedrooms with cage type set ups for
their naps lined with blankets from home. When naps
are over they and their dog friends (about 20 of them)
run down the stairs to the outside fenced area to
play. Eat – Play – Nap.!. Is must be a dog’s life for
sure.
Anyway our daughter, Jamela did arrive at the Boston
airport in time so our concern for her first time
finding her way around the airport and being there on
time was unfounded.
We went to the church, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in
Marblehead for the rehearsal on Thursday late
afternoon. Rachael grew up in the church and was
baptized, confirmed and now will be married in this
beautiful setting filled with intricate stain glass
windows and rich wood sculptures of Saints. It will be
a beautiful place for a wedding. The ocean is a block
or so away and the changing colors of the leaves just
add to the charm.
The rehearsal seemed pretty straight forward and
simple, but add a 100 people, organ music and a high
emotional experience and the situation changes.
Rachael and John have done a great job of organizing
all aspects of the wedding. Rachel has a great
talent for planning and coordinating the many vendors
and pieces to the wedding day puzzle. Her attention
to detail is amazing.
The out-of-town guests were all delighted at the
welcoming baskets filled with goodies to delight the
taste buds and information brochures about the area.
Mike, Rachael’s dad, scurried around town delivering
these baskets to the guests to make sure each had theirs at the
right time. We all feel like kings and queens.
The rehearsal dinner was terrific. There were about 30
or so attending a six course Italian meal at the
Paradiso, a charming restaurant by the train station in Swampscott, MA.
This was real dinning with scrumptious food to fit all
tastes. There was plenty of time to get to know the
families and relax for the occasion.
My brother Alan and his wife Janine are here from
Sacramento, CA. They are enjoying a leisurely month
long trip from Boston down to NYC, Washington DC,
Virginia and South Carolina. Now back in Boston for
the wedding then on to Vermont and Canada. It’s nice
to be retired so they can take all this in. Alan
loves trains so riding the well-planned train systems
in the east is an added pleasure.
Stan’s niece Mary Ann and David are here from Atlanta,
GA. Mary Ann is such a life of the party.
Geordie Jones, John’s long time friend and best man is
here from Chicago. Jake Kern’s, also John’s grammar
schoolmate, is here from California with his Mom,
Renee. These kids practically lived
at our house when they were growing up.
Chris Los, John’s college roommate will be coming from
Washington DC with his wife Julie. It will be good to see these boys
together now that they have all grown into handsome
men.
Rachel’s sister Sarah and her mom Diane look a bit
alike and we took lots of snaps. Rachel’s brother Mark
looks like her dad.
Weddings are always such interesting events, where all
the families mesh together finding common ground and
living the excitement of the occasion.
John said after the bride and groom dance together, he
and I were to dance the mother/son dance together. On
My.!. I’m not sure which of us has more left feet.
In his home he has this great large bedroom with a
hard wood floor. We rolled up the rug and practiced
in our stocking feet. John’s been taking lessons. I
still like to watch my feet just in case feet aren’t
where expected. Stan joined in with a polka.
After a few times hopping and skipping around to
the beat, John said, “This really wears you out.”
Well that’s why they call it
exercise and a way to have fun at the same time.
I’ll let you know how the dancing went at the wedding.
Joyce