AND THIS OUR LIFE, OUR BEGINNING - PART 3 - BEFORE THE WEDDING - #THISISKANDJ

MAY 1989

To catch up on a few details. A little backup is needed. Shortly after our engagement, I thought hard (but not too long) as to my bridesmaids, dresses, etc.

Mom and Dad urged if not demanded that I have Mary as my Maid of Honor. Of course, at that time in my life, I wanted Dee Ann. So I secretly told her she was my Matron of Honor and Mary was my Maid of Honor. Dee was fine. About five years before, I was her Maid of Honor.

Following a very close second was Sherri Carpenter - who had also seen me through some difficult AND fun times in my life over the last ten years. She and I met at Richland College sitting in a round (horseshoe) booth outside of the Choir room. In actuality, we were talking about EASY Math in one of the college Math books. It was truly 2 + 2 = 4!! She was laughing with a friend and I joined it. Fast and immediate friends, we went in Choir and sat by each other. – Sooo… Sherri was next. Sherri came with my mom and me to pick out my wedding dress and we picked bridesmaid dresses one night with colors being teal and mauve/rose. In 1994 she married and I was her Matron of Honor.

I had always wanted someone to stand with me from Bryant’s family - so I picked my precious Margaret as Junior Bridesmaid. I saw this as honoring both Bryant and Therese, her parents. The other bridesmaid was Bea Knagg who influenced me sooo much in my adult Christian life. PLUS she was so fun and we both love Music and Movies!! - Cathy Flynt, of course, sang at my wedding (I later was her Matron of Honor at her wedding with Brian McPherson.) They are the only ones that stayed together - Maybe I am bad luck for a maid of Honor! HA!

May 13, 1989

Saturday

I had a Bachelorette party at Mom’s house. So hard to remember who came but I know Sherri and Cathy were the ones I laughed with the most. A friend on the bus I took to work everyday, Diane Turner, came for a while - but then left rather upset because she was going through a divorce and it was just too much for her. Dee Ann was there - and I really can’t think of anyone else.

We watched the original Father of the Bride and I did a fashion show of all the lingerie and a couple of dresses I bought for leaving the church. We had so much fun! Also at some point, Keith, Don, Mark N (not sure if there was anyone else) showed up in our backyard banging on the back doors for their Bachelor party. Later, they said they went bowling - ha - no striptease for Keith! (good man)

May 20, 1989

Preparing for The Wedding

After a great night at the rehearsal and dinner, I awoke in “the boys room” (meaning my parent’s upstairs room.. - I slept there when I moved out of my apartment, after Keith and I were engaged)

Growing up, I slept here as a baby - I even have slight memories of my crib being under the dormer window, and then I fondly remember Mary telling Mom and Dad to let me sleep in her bedroom downstairs. But now, Mom had moved downstairs to the “girls bedroom” to avoid Dad’s monstrous snoring.

Anyway, I woke up to a sun-filled room and thought “OH! I am getting married today!”

I had an appointment with Kae Lyn Cody (Dee Ann’s sister and also my friend) to do my hair. She did a beautiful up-do and I felt elegant.

By 1:00 p.m. I was at the church getting ready - maybe a bit before. It was sooooo HOT that day - Over 100 degrees!

Cathy (Party Cathy) was singing “Til There was You” and “That’s All I Ask of You” while I lined up with the others outside the sanctuary. It was a smoldering heat. The one person I truly remember seeing was Jane Hughes, who I used to work with at A&A. She was such a sweet lady.

NO TURNING BACK NOW! Ha! With my arm through my precious Daddy's, it was time to walk down the aisle.