Lindsay and Jim got married

It's been a long time coming. Jimmy Ide and Lindsay Grose dated eight years. Yesterday they were married on a beautiful June Saturday in front of 350 people. Father Kenkel, bless his heart, tried to start the ceremony without the bride!

Jim is the son of Dan and Barb Ide. He attended St. Malachy School, just a year behind Amy and is now back working in Creston as a pharmacist at HyVee after graduating from the U of I last year. Lindsay also graduated from Iowa with a 4 year radiation technologist degree. Her mom Susan is one of my homegirls. I admire Susan, who works for the Dept. of Human Services, a great deal. She's fun and easy to talk to. Her husband Brian, besides being a hottie, is really nice.

Back to the wedding: The groom carefully seated all the grandparents and parents. The bridal party walked in the the music played joyfully by Linn Baker. And Father said an opening prayer. I looked at Paul like??? What the??

Then Linn quickly played the bridal march so Dick Grose could walk his daughter up the aisle. I'm sure Father was at first confused (he's in his 80's) and then embarrassed. But he said something like - "whoops, guess we better not do this without the bride!"

Thank goodness the ceremony was co-celebrated with Reverend Pete Brantner, who kept Fr. K on track the rest of the time. Pete did the homily, telling the story of how Jim proposed to Lindsay in a hot air balloon in Arizona. Pete talked about the couple's commitment to each other. I like hearing good speakers - pastors like Pete, talk about marriage. It helps reaffirm my feelings for Paul. Not like I'm wavering or anything...but it's just good to hear a relationship pep talk once in a while. It's been 30 years ago since someone said those words directly to us, you know! We really had no idea what we were in for.

The reception was fun! The speeches by the co-best men, Patrick Walsh and Andy Ide were very touching. You can tell they think so much of this couple. The food was great - barbecued chicken and beef. The cake was great too. There were cookies in the shape of...you guessed it - hot air balloons, thanks to Jim's cousin Kaylie Crittenden.

Nearly all my homegirls were there. Nancy was a bit tired, after running the Dam to Dam in Des Moines (12 miles) earlier in the day. Patti, Deb, Diana, Joan Weis, Mendy.

We were excited that Jud and Kara had decided to stop and stay with us on their way home from Ames that night. We talked them into coming by the reception as Jud knew both the bride and groom. Fun to see him chatting with Creston peeps. And I got to do a little dancin' of course! Love Shack - my wedding fave, and my girls always gotta dance it with me. Good night.

Have a great life Jim and Lindsay! You sure started it right.