Wild Horses

Four weeks have passed since Chris and Lindsey ceremoniously tied the knot.  It was a beautiful Spring day on a horse farm in the rolling hills of York County, Pennsylvania.  After four weeks of reflecting and reliving the big day in all its splendor and glory, there are several memories which continue to rise to the top of my mind.

To say that Lindsey is a beautiful and radiant bride is an understatement.  Nobody blends South Beach style and smiles with York County country charm and grace like Lindsey does.  Her engaging  and easy manner blends naturally with the gritty attentiveness of a young mother.   Beyond her stunning beauty and easy grace lays a razor-sharp intellect.  I suspect many who don’t know her would be shocked by the attention to detail outlined in her three-dimensional color-coded spreadsheet directing responsibilities and schedules (sometimes down to 5 minutes increments) she distributed to members of the family and wedding party.  Leigh and I had a sense she was a “keeper” from the first moment we met her in December 2010.  We could not love her more than we do or be more delighted our families have been joined together.  She is  quite impressive on every level.

 

 

The Waite’s of York County

The Save the Date announcement advertised “ Food, Booze and Killer Dance Moves”;    Peg and Bill Waite, Lindsey’s mom and dad, could not have thrown a better party.  Bill’s toast to his daughter was among the best I’ve ever heard, combining a brilliant blend of love and humor that brought tears to every eye.  My personal favorite was when he teased the crowd with  “I prepared a few words” then let his paper unfold down to the floor.

Pouring over the hundreds of photographs from professionals, friends and family members, it’s hard to highlight just a few memories.

Hours before the ceremony while getting dressed with his groomsman, Chris asked me to help him with the clasp on his vest.   As it should be, it is always a special honor  when Chris asks for me to lend a hand.

 

In the moments before the ceremony, impatience started to grow.  Obviously not everybody had received Lindsey’s color coded spreadsheet.  Chris and Levi waited together.

Quite often at weddings,  the Father of the Groom can appear to be an awkward appendage (I know – I’ve been called both!). But not so on this day as I was given the particular honor to carry our grandson Levi up the aisle.  Floating in the wake behind Chris escorting a beaming Leigh to our front row bench, I was overcome with the same joy, gratitude and a sense of humble pride I felt when I walked Caity down the aisle on her wedding day.  It’s really nice to be a part of my family.

 

 

The pastor who conducted the ceremony was a seasoned pro whose fingerprints on the service were delightfully few, but magnanimously evident.  Instead of the traditional Bridesmaids and Bride’s family on the left, and Groomsmen/ Grooms family on the right, the families were instructed to break convention by “switching sides”.  The Pastor went on to explain that it would allow us to better see the expression on the faces of our children throughout the service.  She then instructed Chris to look down at the ground until her signal, when he would be able to see “the whites of her eyes” as Lindsey and her dad approached.

The strumming chords of Paul Terzano’s acoustic guitar beautifully filled the air throughout the seating of guests and procession of the wedding party.  At the moment when all were seated or in their designated place, Bill and Lindsey started down the aisle as Paul began playing “Wild Horses”.  It was as beautiful an entrance in every way I could have possibly imagined.

Anticipating the big reveal, I watch Chris watch the ground, then turned to watch Lindsey, then back to Chris.  And back and forth  I went as Bill and Lindsey glided towards the outdoor altar.

The memory of Chris’s face as he lifted his head for his first look at Lindsey in her splendid refinery still brings a smile and a tear.  I hope neither Chris nor I ever forget that moment.

Wedding receptions are defined by a the display of Killer Dance Moves; our Bride and Groom did not disappoint.

 

 

Chris surprised and delighted Leigh in their dance with a nod to our  Hawaiian roots with  “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Iz Kamakwiwo’ole.

Another memory from the dance floor is my father dancing with my niece Bridget.  Afterward he said, “She has the same rhythm and moves Joan (mom) had.”  I have often said that Mom would have been so very proud of her grandchildren if she were alive to see their lives unfold; perhaps she was with us on this day.

I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Chris’s Best Man Adam Brody.  Chris’s friend since first grade, Adam forever won a place in our hearts when during his toast he said, “To Mr and Mrs McBride, thank you for raising such great son who has been such a great friend to me.”

Thank you Adam.