Chapter 14

My parents surrendered to the inevitable. We were married two weeks later.

Sure, it was a bit rushed, but we didn’t care. Neither of us wanted anything fancy. Pat wore a lovely gray linen suit and I wore an off- white dress that came to just below my knees and had a lace peek-a-boo bodice. And yes, we got the dress at Penneys!

After the scene at graduation, Pat and the girls were subject to a lot of attention from the entire family and many friends. They had a lot of questions that either I had never answered, or with Pat showing up, new ones were raised. Some questions were answered, some not, except for a demure smile.

Why two weeks? We had to wait for paperwork, marriage license stuff and his parents to fly in from Arizona. And I wanted Chica there. She had stayed in Virginia with Clyde, while the family traveled to see me graduate.

I was ready to get hitched the next day! And Pat was, too. To my relief, everyone got along well with minimal awkwardness. Although Dad and my soon to be father in law had a spirited debate about golf clubs at one point. I can just get the ball through the windmill at mini golf, so I don’t care about Ben Hogan or Jack Nicholas.

Neither of us wanted a ‘church wedding’. Just someone who could stand with us in front of everyone and basically say “You want to marry her? (Yes.) And you want to marry him? (Yes.) Mazel-Tov! (Clap hands, ) You’re married!”

Okay, so that is over simplifying it, but you get the idea.

The ceremony and reception was in a section of Neptune Park, right on the water. You can rent sections out for private functions. We had sunshades and tables all over, and lots of chairs for seating. A mobile D-J had music playing while people mingled and waited. Because of park insurance, no alcohol would be served by the caterers, and that was just fine with me!

About half an hour before things were to start, I was in a tent that had been set up for me, as the bride, to get ready and take care of last minute things needing attention. I managed to get one of my younger cousins to the side and asked a favor. She agreed and ran off to get help. I then asked for a quick word with the justice of the peace who was going to officiate. He left smiling.

Pat and I had decided to not have a formal wedding party of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Too complicated. Soon we all heard the voice over the sound system asking everyone to come and sit as we were about to get started.

It was happening! It was REALLY happening!

There were some confused looks, as the wedding march started when four little girls went skipping towards the front, holding baskets and tossing out ... dandelions.

“Good afternoon, everyone. We’re here today to witness the joining of Patrick and Patricia in marriage. As most of you know, their courtship has been, shall we say, atypical.” (A few chuckles were heard.) “Many of you are wondering at the sight of the dandelions that were scattered a few moments ago. In this case, they represent the love these two people share. Some might look at them and think they are nothing of significance, or other may see them as a thing of beauty, so bright and colorful. And others may see them as they dry up and then are scattered in the wind. Love is that way. Some will see a couple and not think much of them. Others will see beauty as they share adoration for each other, emotion coloring their world to be bright and happy. And when they dry up and float away? That is when love renews and grows again. With every day, love can be renewed for a lifetime together. And as the seeds scatter and grow, so does love. The circle of it grows wider with each renewal. Expanding to encompass more and more of what surrounds them.”

As we started to exchange vows, Pat took my hand, just before he slid the wedding band on my finger, and said, “Last summer, we each made a dandelion wish. You said we couldn’t say what we wished for until it came true. We had known each other for only a short time, but in my heart, I could hope that you would be the woman I would marry. And so now I can say that, yes, my wish has come true. Patricia, I love you like no other in the world. Thank you for loving me back.” He slid the ring up.

Okay, my turn.

“Patrick, you are the man I can see sharing my entire life with, until we take our last breath together. The gift of your love to me has been the biggest blessing my life has known. There is an old saying of ‘Great Minds Think Alike’ because sitting there with you as the fireworks filled the sky above us, my own wish was the same as yours. Thank you for allowing our hearts to open up to each other.”

I know that I wasn’t the only one crying. But every single tear that was being shed, was a tear of joy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, Patrick and Patricia Walsh.” No prompting was needed for the first marital kiss!

We made sure ahead of the time that the D-J had the correct wedding songs for the parents. “We’ve Only Just Begun,” by The Carpenters for Pat’s parents, and “How Sweet it is (to be loved by you),” by James Taylor, for mine.

As for us? There was never any doubt. “From this Moment on.”

I was holding a very sleepy chihuahua in my arms as things were starting to wind down. It had been a very busy day for the little dog, running around and playing with the children. The park closed at 8:00 and we had to have everything cleaned up and packed out by that time. It was a little after 6:00 and everyone was pitching in to help.

My parents came over to make sure any last minute things were covered, since Pat and I were about to head off to the hotel for our wedding night. Somehow, my dad ended up holding a tiny dog who opened her eyes briefly and gave his hands a lick.

“Guess what, Dad! You passed the Chica Test!”

Crystal came over to give me and my husband a hug. “Thank you so much for inviting me to celebrate with you today!” Earlier, when I did the traditional tossing of the bouquet, she ended up with it. I hadn’t planned it! Honest! “I plan to have these flowers dried and then placed in a special display case in the office. That way I can look at them and also tell people about how I was able to help bring a family together so that they could grow and move forward together and, like your dandelions state, grow the love.” It looked like she had tucked several in the bouquet.

My husband gave her a hug. “I can’t properly express my gratitude for all you did to help us reach this point.”

“Just keep loving and supporting each other. I’m certain that the two of you have been through a lot more than has been shared, but that is private. All I can ask is that you two always share your hearts with each other, no matter what.”

Another hug and she went to put the flowers somewhere safe. I turned to my husband and smiled. (Yes, you see the phrase ‘my husband’ is starting to be used more frequently. That is who and what he is! Sue me!)

“Why, Mister Walsh!” I fluttered my eyes and exaggerated my best ‘Scarlet O’Hara voice, “Ah do believe that your blushing bride requires attention as quickly as possible, in the marital bed!”

“As you wish,” he grinned. Hey! Why not mix movie metaphors?

We said good night to the people still there and went to his truck (Chevrolet not Kenworth) and drove to the hotel we would be staying at. We still had several months to make up for, and it was a really good thing I was on birth control now. Mom was right about the walking funny thing, though.

Checkout was at noon. We managed to get out of there at 11:51, dragging our suitcases. Because pet policies varied in each hotel, Chica was going home with Amanda. Once we returned to Virginia after the honeymoon, we would be living at Pat’s apartment until we decided on getting another place. As far as I was concerned, that was fine with me, because I would be riding with him, as a partner. I was still too young to get a CDL, but I would be there to keep my husband company. My sister-in-law would just check the place a few times a week and make sure there was nothing strange growing in the refrigerator.

Next stop? Shamokin, Pennsylvania!

I finally got my Lady Mavericks Cheer Squad top from Carol and Pat was again asked to be a judge for the baking contest and Stephanie had entered her well renowned Chocolate Lava Cake. Carol was right when she said that it was just this side of being legal because it tasted so good. It won, hands down.