LOVE CONQUERS COVID!
This journey began with Andrea’s (Dre) surprise proposal to Rachael (our daughter) on February 10, 2019 at Beneduce Vineyards, New Jersey. Immediately thereafter, we were all running on adrenalin - checking out and finally reserving a wedding venue, trying and ordering the bride’s wedding attire, bridesmaids’ gowns; the shell shock of wedding related costs. The accompanying stress of planning and attempting to do things in our traditional way made us finally realize that we must give up control because our children are totally capable of planning everything themselves, including their social priorities; the patience of having to hear the same good-natured advice repeatedly. It was an experience of mixed emotions and joy-filled anticipation leading to a June 19, 2020 wedding.
And then COVID-19 erected a bold STOP sign on the highway of life, and the Scout's motto “Be Prepared” went into action globally. Hope and positive thinking dominated panic and future uncertainty, and so the wedding date was changed to October 22, 2020 (also the birthday of Adrian’s Mom). With the gloomy COVID-19 forecast for the remainder of 2020, the couple decided to take back control of their lives and planned a civil wedding on August 20, 2020, in Mount Kisco, New York where they live. To the couple, this was not a momentous event but a mere legal formality making it difficult for them to muster any enthusiasm.
Rachael’s emotional state perked up on August 16 as our younger daughter, Kathryn, organized a surprise Bachelorette virtual party with her nine bridesmaids. It was so well orchestrated that Rachael was in a state of shock for a few seconds trying to figure out what was happening. It was an evening of champagne, fun, laughter, games and YES, another trial of four wedding gowns for the civil ceremony. Rachael was bubbling with enthusiasm, excitement and laughter once again.
Thursday, August 20, 2020 surprises and more:
The hot humid weather of the last four weeks was quickly forgotten as we were greeted by a sunny blue sky with wispy white cirrus clouds.
Rachael spent Wednesday night with us at the hotel. She had another surprise when we returned to her apartment. It was festive and tastefully decorated with helium filled white balloons imprinted with wedding quotes, beautiful floral arrangements dominated the room, a display of some attractively wrapped gifts, champagne bottles, figurines of bridal couples and an assortment of colorful and mouth-watering Italian cookies laid out on dainty paper doilies. The kitchen table was laid out with a delightful breakfast spread and more flowers. All this was hastily put together that morning by the groom’s mother and aunt.
Kathryn, a bilingual special education teacher, dons many hats including that of photographer, hair stylist and make-up artist. Once the bride was ready, we headed to the “outdoor statue” of Our Lady in a beautifully landscaped garden at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Whilst we puzzled over this choice of venue for a civil ceremony, we were thrilled and happy, more especially, as the church wedding has been indefinitely postponed.
The ceremony was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. We were there early as our techie, Kathryn, had to ensure that all was in order for the YouTube live-stream in an outdoor setting.
When the Judge did not show up at 2:12 PM, a few phone calls to the Court made us aware that we should have been by the “outdoor statue” in front of the Court House, not the Church. Luckily, it was close by, so we just walked across.
The Hon. Justice Mark Farrell was affable and offered up several humorous moments. With a twinkle in his eyes (face was masked) he said that due to separation of Church and State, his judicial powers did not authorize him to conduct official business on Church property. Adorned with masks, Rachael and Andrea exchanged wedding vows in a short and sweet ceremony.
We had a small intimate family celebration in a well-appointed outdoor dining area of an Italian restaurant. Adrian made the table decorations, transparent glass vases filled with different types of flowers. Each vase was filled with water for a magnifying effect, with a lit floating floral shaped candle. After the champagne bottles were popped and the toast raised by Adrian and Maria (mother of the groom), we sat down for a sumptuous meal. The flavorful Italian cuisine was washed down with champagne, sangria and water! Italian tradition dictates that the couple cut the wedding cake after dinner and cake is then served with coffee. After feeding each other a piece of cake, Dre accused Rachael of giving him a COVID-19 test as some of the cake went up his nostril!
Despite COVID 19, love conquers all and we left with happy memories of a beautiful wedding celebration.