In This Space Between: The All-About-the-Wedding Post

I've struggled to get this post written for the last three days, partly because uploading all the photos has taken some time. (Is it possible to crash Blogger?) Little men always needing me is another great excuse. But I can't seem to find the right words for this one. There are so many things I want to say, without becoming an emotional geyser. Weddings engender such a wide range of feelings, making it difficult to organize sentiments.

This weekend we got a glimpse into the life that was of the newest member of our family, Carly. We watched two souls become as one as my brother, Joe, and my new sister, Carly, bound themselves together in the holy sacrament of matrimony, receiving the graces they need to begin their life together. Carly and Joe (in case you happen to be reading this!): There was a lot I wanted to say to you both the day of your wedding, but the words escaped me. I write much better than I talk. I wanted to squeeze you both in the happiness I felt for you, but Joe: we were not raised in an overly expressive, "touchy-feely" home, and that just would've been weird... hehe... Carly: I was afraid you were afraid I was going to rip your veil or your beautiful dress! You were and are a gorgeous bride, and I'm proud to have you as my sister-in-law. It hasn't been that long ago that I first met you, so I don't know you as well as I'd like. I hope we make time to fix this in the coming months. My boys are ecstatic to have a new aunt as well. Welcome to our family! We are offering our rosaries (indefinitely) for you both, as there are more trials the first year of marriage than any two people can stand on their own. We're praying that you are blessed with joys to outweigh the sorrows, unending patience for each other, and true charity. God bless you both!

And so, this post's title is not entirely accurate: I give you The Wedding according to my point of view! My thanks to Dad and Jim for contributing photos!

Carly lived out of state, and works at a university, which is where they were married. I assumed there was going to be a fair number of university friends present, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I never attended tech school, college, or university (and was homeschooled through high school) so my range of knowledge extends no where near campuses, dorms, sorority or frat houses. What I saw this weekend was a tightly-knit group of people, and a lot of love.

On Thursday my family traveled east for the occasion, packing up the van with piles of snacks, movies, and boys. We stopped at an old favorite liquor store (coincidentally, where the booze for our wedding came from) on the way, and picked up some of the "Not Your Father's Root Beer" that everyone has been raving about...for later, of course. (Root beer that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside? Who could resist? Even the brewery's founding story is intriguing!)

The fact that it's a midwest craft beer makes it even more special. The verdict? Two thumbs up from this lady!

Our drive took a little over two hours, and into a beautiful state. I was reminded why I wanted to move there after I graduated. Our trip took us through Amish country, where the boys were excited to see a horse and buggy among cars and trucks, obeying traffic lights. "It's just like the 1980's! They didn't have cars back then!" one of them exclaimed. Eli said, "Your mother was born in the 1980's, guys," and laughed at their "WHOAS!" And now I know which area of our history curriculum needs work.

We checked into the hotel and found the view from our room's balcony to be equally picturesque. Never mind the cable TV (and lack of a pool), the boys were mesmerized by the swan that was hanging out by the stream weaving it's way behind the hotel. The other three sides of the hotel were flanked by Taco Bell, KFC, Dairy Queen, Culvers, and Dunkin Donuts. The possibilities were endless...and much like a trap to this not-yet-recovered food addict. Is it very obvious we're small farm town people?

The Rehearsal

We headed to the university chapel for the rehearsal Thursday evening. A delicious meal was served in the basement later, made by one of the priests there, and Joe shared some of his homemade wine.

The wine was made by Joe, the picture on the label was taken by Joe of the grapes the wine was made out of. By Joe.

Ian got more food on himself (and me) than in his mouth. This picture also clearly shows the scar on the bridge of my nose where I broke it over 9 years ago.

The boys were entertained by their cousins, a foosball table and Grandpa. I never knew my dad played foosball...the things that come out at weddings! We also found (a replica of) Andúril, the sword reforged from the shards of Narsil, and carried by Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings. (Bet you didn't know I could speak geek, huh?) As we made our way to the van after the dinner Eli pointed out a dark hairy mass crouched in a tree. He explained that it was a surprise for Carly...a seminarian in a werewolf costume. Carly, if you're reading this, I'm sorry I couldn't warn you! I cannot preach to my boys not to be tattle-tales and turn around and do the opposite. That's the excuse I'm sticking with anyway. :)

Different set of cousins, different set of steps

Grandpa is a man of many talents...

Very bright was that sword when it was made whole again; the light of the sun shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, and its edge was hard and keen. And Aragorn gave it a new name and called it Andúril, Flame of the West. ~J.R.R. Tolkien

We risked getting kicked out of our hotel room (and totally disregarded the hotel's fire code) by sneaking in an air mattress that night for the big boys. Eli got to bunk with Liam and I had Ian to snuggle up to...as usual. We also broke down and got Dairy Queen that night...which reinforced my satisfaction at living in a small community. Twice while in the drive-through lane the woman behind us blared her horn at us. I almost got out of the van, if it wasn't for the little voice in my head saying charity! Charity!

Eli and his little helper, blowing up the air mattress.

No one slept great...I knew we should've packed a fan! Ian was up every hour, and found when we got home that he had grown a new molar.

The Morning Of

I was up before my alarm went off, and got myself ready first. I usually have things planned down to the detail in these situations to avoid unwanted stress and delay, but I could not figure out what to do with my hair! So I winged it (literally)...with cheap hairspray that was originally bought just for getting ink out of my furniture fabric. I brought it along to keep the boys' hair in place for at least the pictures. This hairspray is much like shellac, so as stiff, crispy curls shifted through the day, a whole segment of my hair moved together and formed a wing-like protrusion off the side of my head. In some pictures it kind of looks like a hat.... Classy, no? The boys, minus Aidan, had (rather flat) cinnamon rolls from the hotel for breakfast. They were all dressed in about half an hour, and then my brother brought my nieces over so I could do their hair. With the same hairspray. Despite the crustiness, most of their curls were gone by the time the reception started.

The Berst boys: Aidan, Gavin, Liam, and Ian

Me fixing Ryleigh's hair. Eli was sneaking a nap in before the wedding.

Oh yes, Aunt Julie is hilarious.

She's so talented she can photo bomb her own photo. Allison was not impressed, as usual.

Allison, my brother Jim's daughter, and Ryleigh, Joe's daughter

The Wedding

Heading into the chapel

Eli stood up as a groomsman for my brother, Joe, along with Joe's friend Cade, and Jim was his best man. My boys and I sat with, and right behind, my parents, who are always a great help to us. Ian started fussing shortly after we knelt down. The rough night caught up with him, and he passed out in my arms shortly after the ceremony started. Liam snuggled up to me about halfway through and was out for the rest of it as well. Dad helped out by sitting with him for a bit so I could receive Holy Communion.

Brothers...and the back of Aidan's and my Dad's heads

Cade and Eli

Carly and Joe Hood

Waiting for his bride

Carly was escorted up the aisle by her father, also Joseph (funny story about this later), with three of her friends standing up for her: Sara as maid of honor, Kassidy, and Steph. I don't remember hearing the music she walked up to...already by this time I was blinking back tears and had a strange humming in my ears. The vows and blessing and exchange of rings are so full of symbolism and meaning, they alone get to me. Knowing that my little brother is now married and has a family of his own is a wonderful and also extremely emotional thing for me to process. The little brother who used to annoy me with strange noises all day long, and picked at me until I snapped...who would turn around and make me a little clay horse because he knew I loved horses, would conspire with me to scare our brother with garden snakes, and would eagerly work with me on projects in the garage...has been all grown up for quite a while. Somehow I ignored that fact through the years as he became an adult, and a friend. While I don't still see him as the squirrely 15 year old he was when I moved out, something in me is having a hard time grasping the fact that he has finally found the woman he's been praying so hard for. It's going to be a different world from here on out...another page turned and a new chapter starts.

The "werewolf, or fandango" seminarian hovering in the background, filling a much more solemn role.

This is the best photo I got of them processing out...

Allison, Sara, and Jim

Ryleigh, Kassidy, and Cade

Steph and Eli

After the Traditional Latin Nuptial Mass the new family greeted guests, and then headed back into the chapel for pictures before heading across the street for the reception.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mahoney

This photo makes me tear up every time! Carly, Ryleigh, Joe and Mom

I had to tell Gavin it was not appropriate to practice his dance moves inside the chapel...

The wedding party

Carly and her mom, Nancy. Beautiful souls.

Carly and her dad, Joseph

Joe and Joe flanking their ladies. Funny story: after we received Joe and Carly's wedding invitation I put it on our fridge. Eli saw it later, and read "Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hood request the honour of your presence..." He looked at me in confusion and said, "Why is everything changing these days? Is Carly making Joe change his last name to Hood?" I had to laugh...Eli didn't realize Carly's father's name was also Joseph!

Carly's family

Siblings: Carly, Matt, and Kirsten

Carly, Joe, Mom (Sue) and Dad (Steve)

Our family.

The personal camera shots of just my brothers and me were at strange angles and did not turn out very well, so I chose not to share. Carly, the loving and thoughtful woman she is, had Mom and I get our photo taken together, something that was overlooked at Eli and my wedding. Hopefully the professional photos turned out better!

The newest Mahoney family

Daughter and father

It's like herding cats...literally. I could've used a little laser pointer...or a squirt gun.

Me and my boys...and my lumpy hair.

What?...is that?...did Mom clear-coat your head?

My family

The Reception

It was raining as we ran across the street to the reception hall. I couldn't help but think of Alanis Morrisette's song "Ironic"...."It's like raaaaaaii-eeeeeeeee-aaaaaaaaaiiiinnnnnn, on your wedding day..." Thanks to this interesting thought, I had that song stuck in my head the rest of the night. This may have contributed in part to my dancing problems later.

First dance as husband and wife... to Switchfoot's "This Is Home"

First dance as a family

Father/daughter dance

Mother/son dance

Cutting the cake...I somehow totally missed this part, but Jim got photos. They also had a couple little "Happy Birthday" cakes; one for Ryleigh, who turned 7 today.

Cupcakes! I shared mine with Ian.

The food was delicious and filling: lettuce salads, grape macaroni salad, roasted potatoes, green beans, cheesy penne pasta, bacon-wrapped filet mignon, and stuffed chicken breasts (much like unbreaded chicken kiev). I'm sure I'm forgetting something! Before dinner was served waiters were walking around with platters offering hors d'oeuvres. I noticed crab rangoons and stuffed mushrooms. It's the first time Eli or I were ever served from a platter. :)

Father giving his blessing before we ate.

Jim's best man's speech...it was a tear-jerker. Joe is his best friend, and if I'm this emotional about him getting married, I can't even imagine how it is for Jim.

Carly's father, Joe, giving his speech. He shared an amusing anecdote about Carly not leaving home...she followed them wherever they moved in their home state, so he and her mother, Nancy, decided to move out of state. Carly didn't move with them that time, so they moved again to another state where they currently live, and "she found them"...and moved back in. He ended with the fact that Carly now has a home with Joe. Mom, sitting next to me, whispered through her laughter "That's just like our Joe!"

At one point between the meal and the dance, the wedding party left the hall to have more photos taken. A lot of my time was consumed with getting little people food, trying to make them eat something other than sugar, and hunting them (and their shoes, ties, etc.) down. When the party returned, random people started coming over to me to mention how funny Eli was, how much they loved him, and "You'll just have to see the pictures!" No one would say exactly what he did...I wasn't sure I wanted to know. Eli is an entertainer, so he was in his element. Later, on our way home, I asked whether or not the boys and I needed to go into witness-protection because of his stunts. He explained that he was just being "himself"...striking poses, doing cartwheels, that type of thing. I guess I really do "just need to see the pictures"!

Aunt Carly was so thoughtful and had a whole table covered in things for the kids: markers, crayons, coloring books, bubbles, candy, bouncy balls!

Steph rescued him from wandering alone again!

The Dance

Grandma dancing with the grandkids

Gavin: "Check out my awesome dance moves!"

Is that what I'm supposed to do?

Well this is interesting...

He really wanted to dance...he got as far as swinging his arm and twirling in a circle!

How....? Wha...? Despite what it looks like, this was part of a well-executed dance move, and did not end tragically. Ian was as mesmerized as I was.

She tried to get him to dance! Maybe his baby intuition was telling him he inherited his Mama's lack of dance skills? Or, he just wanted to see what happened to the lady suspended in mid-air.

Daddy dancing with Ian

As always with weddings, there were those couples present who really knew how to dance. Mahoneys do not dance well. And now, a good 30+ people know that. Carly and Joe had Eli and my song ("Faithfully" by Journey) played for us as the dance started. Eli wasn't there at first...I'm not sure where he was, but within seconds he came jogging through the doors (Chariots of Fire style) as if summoned, and jogged a lap around the dance floor with outstretched arms and head thrown back. During this I was furtively looking for a hole to crawl in before he could sweep me off, but no such thing presented itself at the moment. We had a good slow dance for the first half of the song, nothing I couldn't handle. And then Entertainer Eli took over. My feet are never where they're supposed to be...I may think I got the rhythm down, but it's never right. I've practiced in front of mirrors (to my own secret embarrassment, wondering what shows I've put on for people in the past) and have watched hours of youtube videos, trying to learn. Eli gave up on my feet as I have every other time, and started swinging me around like a puppet. Laugh or cry? Fight or flight? I fought both, but ended up a laughing mess and staggered away with relief when it was over. And swiftly downed three cocktails. Wish I would've had the foresight to do that earlier....

A little later a werewolf...or fandango, as Carly's crew refers to it, appeared to join in the festivities. Apparently he makes an appearance once or twice a year to scare the wits out of Carly...the night of the rehearsal was one of those nights.

The ever-wandering baby

And the dancing fandango...who knew he could do the Cha Cha Slide?

And the cupid shuffle? To the left, to the left, now howl!

The "Newman Crew"

"Do you think the cheese fountain was too much?"

"No honey, there's no such thing as too much cheese. I'm just glad the fandango could make it."

Carly's gift to Joe: this is a fountain of cheese, my friends...

...and a nacho bar! What better way to end the evening?

They were worried that all that cheese would go to waste...so a friend stepped up to advertise the cheese. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time! I just have to say, being able to say you had a cheese fountain and a nacho bar at your wedding reception makes it worth every penny!