Friday, March 17, 2006

Vicki's Wedding in January

Our maid Zenobia asked Leslie and me to be the godparents of her daughter’s wedding (Vicki). We weren’t sure what that meant – my experience was limited to having seen the movie with Marlon Brando – but it turns out that it meant that we helped pay for the wedding and we were the two witnesses in the wedding itself. It was interesting to attend the wedding – first, the justice of the peace arrived late due to a traffic pileup that blocked off our whole neighborhood. Then, after a brief civil ceremony, and after signing a dozen documents, we did the reception line, Les and I being a second set of parents in the line – for three hours. During the reception line people brought gifts, and if the gift was cash they pinned it on the dress or suit jacket of the newlywed, and piled confetti and flower petals on our heads. Our kids were a bit unhappy about spending that much time sitting around and waiting for us. Then we all got up to dance to a rock and roll gospel band – the dance was holding hands and skipping along in a long snaking human chain while the band sang the entire text of the New and Old Testaments. Everyone was still going around and around (I think they were just rounding out the Book of Job) and guests were still arriving when Les and I followed the kids out to the car. I know we weenied out early – they hadn’t even cut the cake yet – but we’d reached our limit and it was obvious that the festivities were just warming up (I heard mention of a 2AM quitting time.) I guess we’re not cut out to be serious socialites.

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