Flanfire

The last time our family had gathered in such numbers was the day we laid our darling Susan to rest - nearly two years ago. This time Payton flew in from Orlando, Genevieve and Ray from Phoenix, Ellen from Chicago, cousin Parker from Tyler, and other family friends from the Houston area to celebrate the marriage of our daughter Melody and her loving husband Ryan Taylor Cornelius - in the presence of their adorable son Caleb Ryan. Joining us at this happy occasion - held on the beautiful grounds of Mercury Hall in South Austin - were many of the dear friends who carried us for weeks, nay months, after the saddest days of our long lives. Beth Richard's beautiful bouquets and other flowers (including the flower wreath in Melody's hair), with orchids and irises and other flowers whose names men don't know, set the tone for the event. And it had been Beth and her husband Jason who welcomed us into their home and their lives with a special seder for our Susan just days after we returned to Austin grief-stricken and shell-shocked and virtually broken in two.

The wedding cake - chocolate with butter cream white chocolate icing and decorated with flowers, too - was made by our dear friend (and boot painter) Cheryl Latimer - whom we had first met at that very seder. Wedding guests and wedding party members ate ALL of the cake, saving the section put aside for Ryan and Melody's anniversary celebration. Music was provided by Michael John JACKSON - another longtime friend who was also at that seder evening and prayer time - and by our virtual daughter Kelly Lee Coleman, who has been our Genevieve's close friend since ninth grade. Special assistance was provided by Amanda Winters, another dear friend who helped us move into our new home after our old one was broken apart and who also attended that special seder. Our photographer was the lovely and soon to be married herself Floramay Holliday, whose music has always soothed my soul and whose eye for the camera is right on target. Melody's hair was done by her friend Brooke Olson, who is very close to Paul Michie, one of Ryan's overseers at Alamo Draft House. Best surprise of the day! Brooke and Beth are very good friends, but neither knew the other was working at the Melody-Ryan wedding until Beth walked in with the flowers - including the wreath that Brooke had to place on Melody's head.

Ryan and Melody wrote their own vows - and what vows they were. Lovely, in short. Cousin Parker performed the ceremony - which was just fine since the kids had long ago gone before the Justice of the Peace and made their marriage legal. And he did an excellent job of focusing the attention of the hundred or so gathered to join in the love fest. Candice McLane, who lived with us for sixteen months as her mom and new stepdad worked to get their marriage off the ground, was one of the bridesmaids - she was a picture of loveliness, accompanied by her lovely mother for the day. They had just returned from Illinois, where her husband and her brother had their graduation ceremony from U.S. Navy boot camp. She now has two MORE months to wait (while they are at advanced training) before she can join her husband, hopefully in San Diego, and moving on with her education. It was nearly five years ago that we joined the McLanes at their wedding ceremony. WOW!

Another bridesmaid was Melody's longtime pal Vicki, who lived with us during her last weeks as a high school student (and classmate of Melody). Vicki 4, a talented craftswoman, has since moved to Dripping Springs with her husband Erik -- both of them are redheads -- and is a joy to have around. The other two bridesmaids were Melody's sister Genevieve and Ryan's sister Heather. Ryan's handsome young pals Roger and Charlie and two other friends donned tuxes (all for the very first time) and did a great job escorting those beautiful women up the aisle. It was ALL GOOD!

Plus, the lovely Brittany Clarke - another Melody friend from our Houston days and a recent graduate of St. Thomas University - caught the bridal bouquet. Also helping greatly were Candace Engelmann - who poured the punch - and her entire family which did varous chores. Ryan's entire family - especially Travis and Neva (dad and stepmom) - are so nice to us all the time, and I was so glad to see them so happy too. I cannot thank everyone, because there were more helpers than people I know personally, but this was a WONDERFUL DAY!