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Forever Always: Katie's Wedding
Picture source: Internet
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On the night of Dec. 29th 2006, we left home for Chicgao to attend our niece Katie's wedding . My husband drove whole night to get to Chicago. It was early moring when we got to the hotel.
As soon as we checked in and entered into our room, I saw a welcome gift for us from Katie and Mike. I was really touched. Katie is a very smart and pretty girl. She graduated from High school last year. She did so well in her SAT test that she had the option to choose the university that she likes. But to her parents' surprise, she wanted to join the army. Now she is studying Arabic in Monterey Language College in CA. Mike is attending college majoring in computer in CA, too. To tell you the truth, when I got the wedding invitation, I was a bit surprised that Katie is going to get married.
Wedding
The wedding was held in a local catholic church. The church was so beautifully decorated and packed with friends and family members. As soon as we got into the church, the usher led us to the pew.
Wedding began at 1:00PM. First came the bridemaids who were accompanied by groomsmen to the altar. The bridemaids were dressed in black dresses which are very elegant and sexy. Then came the pretty flowers girl and cute ring bearer, then groom. Last but not least, here came the pretty bride Katie accompanied by her parents. They gave their daughter away to Mike.
Ceremony began. Father Timar began the opening prayer. Followed by liturgy of the word, Homily, Rite of Marriage: exhange of vows and blessing of rings. That is the best part.
When Kaite and Mike repeated after Father Tima, Father Tima asked Mike: "Mike ,will you take Kaite as your wife for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?". Mike answered : "I do". Then Father Tima asked Katie: "Kaite, will you take Mike as your husband for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?" Kaite said: "I do". After that, they gave each other a gold ring. Finally Father Tima announced the big moment: "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!"
Reception
Reception was held in a church hall at 5:30PM. It was so nicely decorated. The wedding cake looked so pretty and delicious. We had a wonderful dinner.
After dinner, Katie's dad gave speech. He told us about Mike and Katie's love story and recalled all the sweet memories of Katie. Katie loves to write poems. When Katie's dad went abroad for business trips, Kaite often wrote to her dad and kept her dad update about everything that happened at home and in school. Once she wrote to her dad stating that:" I will never kiss a man." We all laughed when we heard this. Katie wrote a lot of touching poems, too. Her dad kept all these letters and poems.
Kaite and Mike are high school sweethearts. Mike is two years old than Katie. Mike is in CA and Katie is still in Chicago. He always calls Katie at night. How did Katie's parents know that Mike would call her each night ? Guess what? It was judged by Mike's picture on Katie's dresser. If Mike's picture was faced up on the dresser, Katie's parent would hear the phone ringing at night . It was Mike who called. If Mike's picture was faced down on the dresser, Katie's parents would not hear any phone ringing that night. If Mike's picture was in the drawer, then Mike would not call Katie for a few days. Katies parents could get some good night sleep for days.
After the speech, singing and dancing began. Since Katies ancenstors are from German. They kept german tradition. Everybody gathered before the bride and groom to sing the song. The first verse was sung in German and the second verse in English:
Sing with joyful exaltation
Happy Bridegroom with your Bride
Whom today God's loving kindness
Placed as helpmate at your side
That in all your trials and struggles
She may e'er your comfort be
And in patience shre your burdens
Which alone you could not bear
After the song, it was the wedding march. It was so hilarious that it reminded me of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Everbody were invited to dance. Each had a partner. The march processed around in the room in various formations and ended the bridal couple in the middle of the hall preparing for their dance.
The dance began. Katie and Miked are such a happy couple. They are so much in love. They did the first dance. When Katie danced with her father, the song Butterfly Kiss was played. It was such a touching song and touching moment, my tears cannot help falling down...
There's two things I know for sure
She was sent here from heaven
And she's daddy's little girl
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus, and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all, for...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk beside the pony, daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong
I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning
And butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet sixteen today
She's looking like her momma a little more every day
One part woman, the other part girl
To perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world
But I remember...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
"You know how much I love you, daddy, but if you don't mind,
I'm only going to kiss you on the cheek this time."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong
I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning
And butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by
Precious butterfly
Spread your wings and fly
She'll change her name today
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away
Standing in the bride room just staring at her
She asked me what I'm thinking
And I said, "I'm not sure,
I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
Then she leaned over, and gave me...
Butterfly kisses, with her mama there
Sticking little flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle, daddy, it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, daddy?"
"Daddy, don't cry."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong
I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more
Man, this is what love is
I know I've gotta let her go
But I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses...
－Please click Butterfly Kisses.
After the dance, there were other activies going on. Threw the bride bouquet. The lucky girl who got the bouquet would be the next one to get married. Then, the bride shoe was auctioned. This Austrain tradition was orginally a contest between the best man and the bride's baptismal sponsor. One would "steal" the shoe from the bride and the other has to buy it back. The shoe was returned to the bride and the money collected was to help the newlyweds. Today the tradition is modified to encourage guests to buy into the shoe with the last bidder to get a kiss from the bride.
"The flying Dutchman' was a funny one, too. This lively dance required 3 dancers ( 2 guys and 1 girl or 2 girls and 1 guy).
An Irish tradition presented the bride a horseshoe for good luck. The horseshoe is to be turned up so the luck will not run out.
Another tradition brought up Irish culture to the wedding was the make-up bells. The chime of the bells is thought to keep evil spirits away and restore harmony if a couple is fighting. Additionally it is to remind Katie and Mike of their wedding bows. In liue of the bell ringing, the glasses were being clinked...
A Vogla German tradition is to pin money to the brides dress should you choose to dance with her. Again the procceeds are to help the newlyweds.
It was such a beautiful,elegant and fun wedding that I would never forget. Katie and Mike left the wedding at 10:30 PM and flew to Bahamas for their honeymoon the same night.
We wish them all the happiness and many more to come. Forever always...
Rebecca Lin 2007 Winter In USA/> |
