August 4 is a special day for me. August 4, 1942 was my grandparents' wedding day. August 4, 1978 was my birthday. And as of this year, August 4 is also my little sister Laura's anniversary!
August usually has great weather in Michigan, and Laura managed to pick the best day of the month for her outdoor wedding. It was a perfect day! Blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and minimal humidity. Laura, Cat, and I started the day with manicures and pedicures, then went to church to have our hair done. Babysitter coverage for the boys was a bit of a trick as Chad worked all morning, but thanks to Mom we got it covered so I could enjoy the morning with my sisters. I rushed home for a McDonalds lunch with my boys, then hurried to strap them into their tuxedos and myself into a bridesmaid dress (without smucking up the hair and nails, of course). Will and Josh were not thrilled about their little get-ups...Will whined all day that his shoes were "too hard" and Josh kept crawling right out of his pants while his vest rode up under his chin. (I don't think we have one picture of him actually all put together.) They both screamed bloody murder all the way across town, and since all roads connecting the north and south sides of Holland are under major construction, is was a bit of a haul. Chad cranked the radio as loud as it would go in an effort to drown them out, but I'm telling you, our boys have
lungs! As you can imagine, we arrived at the church ready for pictures but more than a little frazzled. And the fun was just beginning. Tuxes are not made with easy diaper access, and bow ties get in the way of bibs, so by the time we all walked down the aisle, the Langelands (including me) wore an assortment of baby squash, apple juice, drool, and pee. And yet, somehow, it was picture perfect!
Just before the ceremony started, Will had been entertaining himself with an obnoxiously noisy toy truck from the nursery. He would not let that truck be pried out of his hands for anything. I bribed him with juice, candy, my 401K...and still he was racing his truck up the back of my dress. The children's processional (Jesus Loves Me) was playing, my mom was frantically waving him over to the other kids, and I was panicking. Suddenly, Will realized he could help the little flower girl throw silk flower petals down the aisle, and the truck was forgotten, as easy as that. Josh started crying as I handed him off to Anna, the other flower girl, but quieted as soon as he was in the sanctuary. Watching them make their way up to Uncle Erik at the front of the church, I was finally able to take a deep breath and started to enjoy the evening. (Perhaps because their big role was accomplished, but more likely because they were now relinquished to my mother-in-law's capable care!)
The ceremony was beautiful. Laura was stunning (even with tears on her cheeks as she made her way down the aisle), the flowers were "garden elegance" at its best, and the music was moving. Erik made public profession of faith and Laura reaffirmed hers, then they recited the Jewish Shemah as a symbol of the importance of God in their marriage. Bells rang in the steeple as they exited the church and boarded the limo for the ride to the reception.
Windswept, my grandparent's home on Lake Michigan, is already one of my most favorite places in the world, but when we climbed out of the limo and I saw the white tents, sparkling chandeliers, and lavish flowers spilling off every table, it somehow became even more magical. The sun set just as Cat and I gave our toast (a poem describing Laura's antics as a child and then her match made in heaven). We mingled, danced, enjoyed the food and view, and just had a wonderful evening. Chad arm-wrestled my muscle-bound, football-player cousin until his elbow popped and his arm was limp, then stuck to lifting beer bottles with my brother. I did manage to catch one dance with my handsome husband in his tux, though! I learned later that Will and Josh kept Jack and Jan busy all evening with spilling water in Grandma's lap, stuffing silverware into water glasses, and spewing pureed pees. At one point, Jan turned around to find Will's feet disappearing under the risers supporting the head table. The "tunnel" was much more enticing than endless toasts and slow dances, I guess! I was blissfully unaware of it all!
By 1:30 in the morning, the boys had been asleep at home for hours, my heels and Chad's tie were long forgotten, and the newlyweds were off on their own, as they should be! We began the process of stacking chairs and blowing out tea lights, and as the lights dimmed under the tent, the stars over the lake took over the job of lighting the lawn. Memories of the crazy morning were fading, and as we walked to our car Chad and I concurred that it had truly been a fairytale wedding and wonderful day.
Lunch time! Will, Isaac, Adia, and Grace
