Anybody who knows me, knows I can go a little overboard. It doesn’t matter if it’s work or play, the fact is I have been known to carry things a little too far. Some call me passionate. Some call me a village idiot. It’s just the way I’m wired. ‘More’ is better and ‘too much’ is, well, ‘too much’ is just right.
Reliving the joy of Caity and Pete’s wedding certainly falls into that category. It’s been 6 weeks since the big day and we finally got to see the professional photographers first portfolio. As I peruse the slide show to the sounds of a favorite Jack Johnson tune, I’m bathed in a flood of memories. The most overwhelming feeling I had, and still have to this day, is gratitude. Just to be a part of my daughter’s very special day is among my most treasured life experiences.
Earlier in the week Hurricane Irene had inflicted heavy wind and flooding damage on the Rhode Island coastline, threatening the seaside service. Miraculously the weather on 9.10.11 was a bubble of beautiful blue skies, puffy white clouds, gentle ocean breezes, and smiling friends and family: The perfect formula for a beach wedding. In Caity’s own words, “This day turned out a million times better than I had ever hoped for!”
Not every enduring moment was captured professionally. A few of my amateur favorites include Jessica Carmichael’s picture of Caity and me floating toward the sandy, beach-front altar. As the distinctive opening notes of Pachelbel’s Canon in D filled the air, my eyes welled up and my heart began to pound. Everything went into slow motion. Barefoot, we followed the bridesmaids on the winding cement and wood planked path through Seaside Beach Club. At the same time I felt every grain of sand on the soles of my feet, I felt I was floating. Let me be very clear, I don’t remember escorting Caity; I remember Caity escorting me.
The exchange of vows was equally surreal. There is simply no picture that shows the love and no words to aptly describe the look in their eyes. The first kiss was gentle, blissful, romantic. Anybody who may have forgotten what love can be, would see it on this special day.
Caity’s cousin Renee’s photo of the first dance is another highlight. I don’t even remember the song that played. What I do remember is the timeless adoration and playful gracefulness with which they embraced and moved slowly about the patio. Again, each of us was reminded of what love can be.
Another special moment was captured by Peter Boardman. Following my toast, I presented Pete with a special gift; teaching him how to sing Caity to sleep. Still as tone-deaf and rhythm-less as I was over 20 years ago when I would sing Cat Steven’s “Tea for the Tillerman”, I demonstrated for the groom how I sang my kids to sleep (view at your own risk!). This picture of a horrifically embarrassed Caity reaching to take the microphone from me at the same moment our son, Chris, to Caity and Pete’s left, has thrown his head back in hysterical recognition of this childhood ritual. A dad’s job of occasionally embarrassing his kids never ends!
While I may have gone overboard in talking about the wedding, God went a little overboard with more-than-perfect weather, friends and family went overboard with joy and smiles, and Caity and Pete went overboard with all the love they have for each other, and all the people they shared their special day with. It takes a lot of “going overboard” to make a bride say “This day turned out a million times better than I had ever hoped for!”
Sometimes “too much” really is “just right”. I know it was on 9.10.11.
My wedding gift to Pete: http://www.youtube.com/user/pmcb17#p/u/0/D2rbMbDOHJg
tongonpig 
Love to read your vignettes
Lovely sentiments!
Pat, with your usual whimsical style, this made me regret even more my not being able to attend the wedding.