In the midst of all of that we've begun "Adventures in Potty-training"- more on that in a later post.
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Now for the anniversary, that was something else.
And this is my recording of the events for those who couldn't attend and just to mark that day for those who were there.
It all started approx. 25 years, 1 month and 18 days ago when my mom and my step-dad, Joe, dropped my brother and me off at Grandma Rogers house so that they could elope. They didn't even get to be in a church with a preacher, just went to the magistrate's office and signed the papers. Later on, in the summer, there was a big reception/family reunion at the Bushes house in Derry. I only have a few memories of those times. I remember my brother Jason trying to go out the door with them, as a joke and at the party, I remember meeting all these new relatives and feeling awkward but still having a lot of fun with my cousins. It was a special having everyone together and because it was one of the last times we would have Grandpa Rogers with us.
I feel very lucky to have such a functional "dysfunctional" family. Any more you rarely hear about people staying committed to each other. I've seen enough Dr.Phil episodes to know that the statistics on remarriages after divorce are not very encouraging. And as Andy and approach our 8th year of marriage it's gotten me thinking about our parents' relationships. Once I used to think about my parent's being divorced a lot and I think I kind of let that define me. Now as I think about it, yes, my mother and father aren't together anymore but my mother and stepfather and father and stepmother have all been raising me together practically my entire life. I consider myself very lucky to have had not just 2 loving parents but 4 loving parents. To me, that's something very special.
So as I thought over all of this, it became very important to me to do something to celebrate this family mom and Joe have created. Fortunately, Jackie was all for it as well, not to mention Aunt Judy and Aunt Janet and all the rest of our family and friends who not only came out to celebrate but also continued to ask, "what can we bring?" and "how can we help?"
Jackie and I knew we wanted to have it be a surprise and to have it be some kind of a picnic. We had a lot of trouble figuring the details out beyond that. It continually fluctuated between a huge extravaganza to something a little more manageable (Jackie is still a college student and I have 2 toddlers running me ragged). I really wondered if this was really going to happen.
Then we got the idea to ask Aunt Janet if she would be willing (and able) to stand up for them so that they might be able to renew their wedding vows. (she will be taking over pastoral duties in July at her church up in Corry, PA) She was thrilled with the idea and slowly things began falling into place. Jackie thought it would be nice to have the ceremony out at Keystone State Park and then have a reception/party back at the house in Derry. We put together a list and sent out invitations. Then we started getting responses. It was so exciting to hear from all the family that wished us well and were happy to come. We couldn't have put this all together without all this help.
The remaining problem we had was how to get mom and Joe out of the house so that we could set things up. Jason helped by getting Joe involved working on a garage for his in-laws. That left mom. The only thing we could come up with was to take her shopping, so I had her take me out to JoAnns to get some fabric for a project for Sadie while the kids napped. Jackie and I kept in touch with our cell phones and mom was a little suspicious but had no idea what her daughters were really planning. Things went well and then I realized that I had to figure out some way to get her out to Keystone and to also get her fixed up (she had expected to spend the day playing with her grandkids and not going to a wedding so she wasn't what you might consider all dolled up :-) ) Fortunately, we were at a shopping center, of course, where anything and everything is available. I talked her into checking out a store that had clothes on sale. Then I talked her into buying a new top and me a pair of pants (I was actually getting them for her). The we had to stop into Walmart to pick up some party things and I couldn't help it. I had to give her some clue so I handed her the clothes and said, you need to change, you're going to a party. She was surprised and curious about what Jackie and I were concocting. After she changed I found out that we needed to kill some more time so I convinced her to get her hair done (Walmart happened to have a hair salon in store) then picked up a little make-up and she was ready to go.
We finished just in time and made the drive to Keystone, followed the red balloons to the ceremony area and as we drove by mom's first response was "There's Uncle Lynn?!!" Jackie got there right after us and we walked mom down near the lake. As we got closer, Jackie stopped mom and handed her the bouquet (every bride needs a bouquet) and slowly it started to set in what was happening. Family and friends were gathered around. Aunt Janet stood with a Bible under a white arch decorated with tulle and ivy and Joe was right there waiting for her. Of course, we all started crying, Mom, me, Jackie, Judy, Janet...basically every woman there was a little misty. Joe even got a little teary as it set in that he and Mom were actually getting re-married then and there.
Aunt Janet did a wonderful job leading the service even giving us a moment to respond to how mom and Joe as a couple affected our lives. We were all there as a testimony to how special they are to us and to each other.
After the ceremony, we shared stories of the surprise and took some pictures before revealing the final surprise - that there was a party going on at their house - and it was back to the house for more fun.
We ate good food, continued to share bits of the story of the day and swam in the pool as the sun went down. I think it turned out to be a very special day for mom and Joe and I continue to be amazed at how things came together. Thank you again to all of you who helped with this.
We love you Mom and Joe- happy 25th anniversary and we hope there are many, many more!
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