What is Wuv?

Have you ever seen the cult classic movie Princess Bride? The clergyman, presiding over the wedding is very memorable.

The movie opening:

MAWAGE.

MAWAGE is wot bwings us togeder tooday.

MAWAGE, that bwessed awangment,

that dweam wifin a dweam...

And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...

So tweasure your wuv

My sister Cindy was nervous about the ee cummings poem Amy asked her to read during Corey and her Denver Botanic Garden outdoor wedding ceremony. Amy wanted her very special Aunt to participate in Corey and her wedding.

So in good Bullock fashion, Cindy teased that she would instead read the Princess Bride movie opening above (complete with accent). All of us were concerned about getting weepy when Amy walked down the aisle with Paul. Cindy was going to lead with "What is Wuv?" Enter - Cindy's reading - problem solved.

We howled with laughter when Cindy went through this at the rehearsal dinner. Yes, we're good at diverting nerves and (and sadness in other occasions) with laughter. The candied bacon served at the dinner also helped. Thanks to Corey's folks for a nice dinner!

You know how when you plan events, the actual event doesn't always live up to expectations? Not a problem with the Park/Goldsmith wedding! Because the ceremony was outdoors, we watched several weather sites all week prior. Some were predicting a shower right at ceremony time. We lucked out with only a few sprinkles after the "I Do's" were done. Woohoo!

I coached myself to live in the moment. Thanks for all the advice before Jud and Kara's wedding and this one from friends and family. I must say I did a darn good job of enjoying each and every moment. I confess I downloaded a podcast for Paul and I me to listen to on our way out -"Crisis Management". Just in case, ya know.

My mom trained me to be this way. Fortunately, thanks to all of Amy's great planning (she comes from a line of great planners including parents and grandparents), super friends and a wedding planner, there were no crises to manage.

Secret life of chicks

This was my second time hanging out with the bridal party doing "girl stuff". Hair and makeup and listening to the gals talk is fun - especially with this crew of women, many whom I've known for a while. It is out of my comfort zone. When they use code words like, "finish up your mascara", I go into panic mode.

The girls talked of TV shows they like, friends, and styles as each person got beautified. I wished my own personal hair stylist, Sarah Darby had been there - but was pleased with the 'do and makeup. The hair was a bit puffy to start - but the stylist assured me be it would deflate - and it did. Phew. Hair teasing makes me panic!

Amy bought us each a Raygun tank top! Aren't the bridesmaids lovely? ! 

Then it was showtime - Amy put on her lovely dress! The look on Paul's face when he saw her was precious. We packed into the car to head to the Denver Botanic Garden - coordinating so we didn't run into the wedding fellas. The girls were sequestered in a basement room in the building where the reception was held. Jenna rocked at popping the champers.

Soon it was ceremony time! Time rushed forward so quickly. I walked out to the appointed area to see so many people that we love gathered to witness the marriage. It was breathtaking. Corey walked me up the aisle, and both of us managed not to hyperventilate. He was nervous. I tried to be the voice of reason - calming us both down.

pre-game face

Corey's father, Jeff, was the celebrant. He did a fantastic job, putting the couple at ease and managing the ceremony.

Cindy did the first reading:

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart) ee cummings

i carry your hear with me (i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

                                                      i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

During Cindy's reading, my Aunt Marty held my hand. I was touched and grateful, thinking of how proud my parents would have been to be there. Paul's sister Carol also sat in the front row with us - representing the Goldsmiths. George and Laura were beaming down from above.

Corey has mentioned several times how he happy he is to marry into two crazy big extended strong loving families. We were fortunate to meet some of his family members during this event and Amy enjoyed traveling to California to meet his grandparents.

Thanks Larry Peterson for this photo (the bride's mother was successful at living in the moment and not snapping pics) 

The second reading was equally touching - I must get a copy from Amy. Corey and Amy each wrote their vows. I don't have a copy of them, but let's just say Amy's were "so Amy". The exchange of rings went very quickly and soon the ceremony was over - it was photo and party time!

The bride and groom had ordered up their fave drinks to be served there at the garden after the ceremony. A few raindrops fell! Guests mingled and hugged. And sipped. It was lucky that clouds moved in - otherwise, it would have been hot!

Love this pic

When one weds at the Botanic Garden, they select from caterers offered by that venue. This one makes really yummy food. I've now tried a pork belly, tiny donut hors d'oeuvres. And I'm proud to report that the caterer didn't have to return much liquor and even sent out for a bit more gin. That's how we roll! Except for the gin part? Coors Light was gone early but people coped by drinking other beer. Let's hear it for Uber - the app that provides drivers for everyone.

Amy with Megan (former Denver roomie)

After the meal, the toasts began. Corey's brother Andrew helped re-write the words to a Hamilton song. Amy's best gal Megan sang them in awesome fashion with the rest of the bridesmaids as backup singers. Then, Corey popped on shades and sang a verse. It was adorable. Amy's smile said it all.

Corey's brother also gave his own superb speech, followed by our son Judson who mentioned our little angel Patrick. He welcomed Corey to our wacky fam. Paul was last. I noticed he avoided drinking much alcohol prior to his speech - wanted good delivery. He sure came through. The theme of the wedding was #amylearnstopark and I wrote the speech based on that. Paul edited the speech to make it his voice. He'd been practicing while he rode his bike. Well done, honey!

Through tears, snapped this pic

The dances were next. That's when I finally snapped. Amy selected "End of the Innocence" by Don Henley for her dance with Paul. That song contains many memories of the kids growing up. As I stood trying to get a good pic of them dancing, I tried to hold my face to stop the tears - I have to admit I was not successful.

Next thing I knew, Susi and Jud were hugging me and I was blubbering. I guess the whole joint noticed...ugh. Except Amy! Yay.

My kids! 

Did I mention Dave was there? Yep, Amy's beloved car, Dave the Honda (totaled recently due to giant Denver hail storm), was the photo booth. This idea came from someone's class reunion (Mel Pins?) photo. Suddenly the picture frame idea I had seemed boring. Dave must attend - a surprise for Amy! Paul came up with the perfect plans of how to do it. We used an actual photo, blown up, for the chassis. I purchased a steering wheel online (that $20 seemed so reasonable - but the $20 shipping!&%#!) and Paul crafted the rest. Check it out, above. And below.

Me with longtime pals Julia and Vicki

The Disc Jockey for the evening came recommended by niece Jordan. He was super - and the rented wooden floor was busy all night! There is not much I enjoy more than dancing with my friends and family. I am not a great dancer - so the photographer may need to burn a few shots. But it was sure fun shaking a leg and joining and watching the groups having fun.

One of the constants that we stressed all weekend and when we were planning for the wedding was how fortunate we are. Family and friends attended from far and wide. The August timing helped, and the location was a draw - part of the reason so many of my family members live in Colorado. My cousin Amy's daughter Kate caught the bouquet and nephew Alex snagged the garter. Way to go fam!

Of course, it was difficult to have meaningful conversations with everyone we would have liked to. Amy tried to "pre-talk" to family members before the reception, at her shower and breakfast with the Goldsmiths. It was a long trek for them to travel from Iowa and Wisconsin to Colorado. All too soon it was 11 p.m. and time to clear out. Some of the wedding party decided to head to a bar. I was done.

Paul, Jud, Kara, niece Leslie, her husband Jordan and I walked about 6 miles cross country to our Subaru, parked on a city street. Parking is scarce near the Botanic Garden. Niece Jordan and her fiance Jill also tagged along as Jordie had stuff in our car. That walk was a fitting and hilarious part of the evening. We returned to the hotel, chatting in the lounge until 1 a.m. Such fun talking to my namesake (okay we're both named after my grandpa Herbert Leslie) and her spouse.

When my head hit the pillow, I was awash with the feels. I could not sleep! Humbled and thankful for my family and friends. Random thoughts kept popping into my head. Don and Diana flew in after attending Phil's wedding in DSM Friday night. My former DSM roomie Joanie connected with them for a ride to the ceremony. Other Crestonites ran into each other on their way through NE.

College friends flew in and had to coordinate flights. Nephew Colby (and girlfriend/nurse Gretchen) traveled soon after breaking his back. Susi picked daughter Leslie and spouse Jordan up on her way to the Friday shower.

Corey's friends and fam arrived throughout the week (prior to the big Bachelor Party at Winter Park Wednesday Park). We picked Jud and Kara up Thursday at Union Station prior to lunch and chick time (nails).

Union Station lunch with Megan, such fun! Frosty beers - just like my dad liked 'em 

See - I'm doing it again. I couldn't stop! My nieces and nephews were dancing together with my cousins' kids. Many of the people I love were there in one room. It was awesome! Finally, listening to a book on my phone, I dropped off with a smile on my face. Oh, oh, foot cramp. haha. It was worth it! Stay tuned for offical pics of me sobbing.