It Takes a Neighborhood to Have a Wedding

We are all familiar with the expression "It takes a village to raise a child." That took on extra meaning for me this past weekend when my only daughter married the love of her life. Help came in many ages and sizes - young and old, family and friends, rental companies and complete strangers. People willing to do whatever they could to help with this joyous occasion. We are truly blessed to know them all.

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.