When you are having the ceremony in the field across the street from your house, it also takes a neighborhood to have a wedding. In this case, my neighbors mowed, edged, trimmed, painted, picked up litter, and offered their parking spots for the weekend. They moved tables and pictures, hauled dishes, offered the use of their houses and electricity. 
If you are lucky enough to live in the same town, neighborhood, or house for over 30 years, the DNA of your neighbors is woven into your own. Perhaps you were their high school teacher, you watched their children be born and grow up, and then you were their children's teacher, too, whether in the real classroom or in life by example. You know their aunts, uncles and cousins. You watched them play in the field that was placed in a perpetual trust because people who came before you watched the neighborhood kids play in the field with its tree and tree house. You've seen boys and girls play football and soccer, baseball and golf there. Build a BMX bike track complete with a pond. Have neighborhood cookouts and volleyball games. And then you watch your daughter walk down the aisle there, with those same people in attendance.
Chrissie's son Tom graduated from OU this year, my daughter got married in a neighborhood field in Muskogee. These milestones do not happen without a myriad of people helping, supporting, encouraging, teaching, leading, and loving us along the way. Here's to all the wonderful people who helped us pull off a memorable weekend and one of life's major milestones. Love you all.
The bride and her father rehearsing in the field.
3 comments:
Mom, now you and Chrissie both are making me cry! I am so fortunate to have been raised by you (and your neighborhood). No matter how crazy my ideas sounded to everyone for the wedding, they all smiled, helped, and pulled it off! Thnak you!...How could I ever say "thank you" enough?
My thanks is to you, Madi. You've been an absolutely wonderful daughter (it was all over too soon!)and have wonderful friends - you have all grown into fabulous, competent people. That's exactly what every parent wishes for - it is you who have made dad and me fabulously happy. It's not over yet!!! Long life and much love to you and Zach and to everyone!
Oh, p.s. - I didn't mean that in the past tense. You still are a good daughter!
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