Monday, August 21, 2006

I've written very little about the wedding. It was such an emotional roller coaster. Rather than try to be creative let me just name off the highlights.
1. My daughter has always wanted to do a performance on a Stienway and Sons Grand piano. She was flawless. The music couldn't have been more appropriate or performed better. I smiled at her answer when I asked how she liked the piano. "It has an uneven touch." She may be hard to please.
2. I will not forget the moment at the end of the ceremony when the Pastor turned the couple around after the kiss, and announced them as Stephanie and Tom Morrow. The lights had been dimming almost without notice and a spot was on them as they turned around. Everyone cheered and Tom took Steph by her left hand. We cheered and Tom raised his left hand with a full arm wave. It was the Richard Nixon wave without the V sign. A huge smile was plastered on their faces.
Well the parents were ushered out and Tom came over to me and hugged me for about fifteen seconds and we both lost it.
He and Steph composed themselves and went to the front and greeted and hugged each attendee as they were dismissed. They were a gracious couple indeed. Yep, that memory will be with me for a long, long time.
3.Son Dan, four years Tom's senior and his boss, was the best man. At the reception he gave a toast that had the 300 people in attendance almost rolling on the floor with laughter for almost ten minutes. He finished and had us all in tears at the end. I'll post a pic of their embrace after the toast that lasted about thirty seconds.
4. I wanted to take the mic, it was offered to me, but knew I couldn't say what I wanted to say. Besides speaking of the Bride and the Groom I wanted to relate the compliment that his Brother paid Tom about six months ago. Dan and I were discussing the newly engaged couple and how happy they were. Dan said about his brother, "I hope Steph knows what a great man she is marrying, they don't come any better than Tom." I thought that spoke volumes because of who was saying it. The two boys have worked closely for several years.
5. All of my siblings made the effort to be there. They came from Tulsa, Clovis NM, and four from here in the state and Marilyn's brother and entire family came from Dallas. We had close friends travel clear across Nebraska to be there as well as from Iowa. It wouldn't have been complete without all of the family there. I even had cousins of mine from Iowa and Florida make the trip.
6. CHAR AND RALPH: These guys were the host couple at the reception. They came 4 days early to help. Help they did. Tirelessly. Marilyn and I are very fortunate to be able to call these two friends. We love them both. That last sentence will really bother Ralph. Live with it Ralph.
Ralph has just taken up the game of golf. I predict he will be better than I in 2 years.
Note: Ralph married over his head.. so did I.
And lastly an update. The newlyweds called from San Francisco the day they arrived. Tom said it seemed to be a popular destination for 'couples'.
Okay thanks for putting up with all of this.

13 comments:

1 plus twins said...

the pictures are all so beautiful!! everyone looks good and so happy. i love the picture of tom and dan hugging. it is a definite keeper. i am so glad you had a wonderful time and have such great memories. thanks so much for sharing them with me. that was so sweet to have ralph and his wife there and be such a big help. they truly are great friends

Anonymous said...

Cliff,
Those photos are great. Glad it all went so well. I'm sure the mother and father of the groom are very relieved.

Make sure to post a pic of you and Marilyn in full wedding combat garb. Wanna see you in the monkey suit and shiny shoes.

Congratulations to Tom and Steph!

Jim said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jim said...

Congratulations, Cliff and Marilyn. You raised good and promising kids and now the youngest has left the nest.

The wedding pictures were great. I hope you have a picture of that Stienway and newest player.

Also I would also like to see you guys all dressed up. Ralph and Char too?

One more question, where was the wedding held? Some place in Lincoln I think.

It was nice the whole family could be there, all you kids.

Congratulations Tom and Stephanie!
..

Miki said...

Congratulations to the happy couple! Cliff, you always give us a great picture of the events, and you did this time too! The "event" sounds like a great one that will be toted as the "best ever" for a long time to come. Thank you for sharing these very personal pictures, emotions and insights with us, I for one have enjoyed it very much!

EV said...

Hmmmmm - I'm speechless. What a beautiful moment.

Rachel said...

What a lovely ceremony it was. I know that from your description. I'm so happy for everyone! I hope to see some photos of you, Marilyn, Ralph, and Char. I wish Tom and Steph all the best that life has to offer!!

Jamie Dawn said...

Great photos!
I enjoyed seeing them as well as reading what you wrote. It is so wonderful to see men in a family who have a soft enough heart to express emotion. I am glad that my father had always been a very strong man, as well as a tender hearted man. I cherish that about my dad, and I am sure your kids cherish you for that as well.
Congrats to the happy couple. San Fran is such a gorgeous place to visit. I wouldn't want to live there, but I have visited there many times over the years being that I grew up in Fremont which is not far from there.
Also, congrats to all who participated in making the day a wonderful day.

TamWill said...

Absolutely Beautiful pictures! Congratulations to your family!

PinkCat said...

Cliff thank you for sharing your son and daughter in laws beautiful wedding.

Everyone looks so wonderful and happy.

What a great day.

Take care xx

eyes_only4him said...

wow, great picutres cliff..

looks like your sons married well..

;)

Peter said...

That was the best coverage of a wedding I think I've ever seen Cliff, the photos were superb and you comments obviously came from the heart, congratulations to all who were involved.

Raggedy said...

Great photos!
Excellent commentary. I enjoyed every word...
Congratulations!
Hugs