by all at this weekend's Brown/Baldridge wedding.  My niece, Deanna, married her wonderful beau, Tim, in a gorgeous (if sultry) wedding at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. 

I started tearing up when Deanna's cousin, niece Amy, walked down the aisle.  She was Deanna's Matron of Honor just as Deanna had been her Maid of Honor a year ago.  They both looked drop-dead gorgeous last year and, impossibly, even more beautiful yesterday.

Part of the teariness came from remembering holding Deanna when she was a wee babe, (or was it Amy?) in my lap during photos on our long-ago wedding day.  Remembering the history of this crazy-quilt family as my brothers and their wives had children, raised them into amazing human beings...it reminds me what a privilege it is to be part of the Baldridge clan.

Part of the teariness came from knowing just how hard Deanna worked to pick herself up after an earlier heart break.  The conversation we had just before she met Tim was so impressive.  She shared how she had come to some brave and momentous decisions, despite knowing how painful the road would be.  And she never seemed to lose her faith that there was someone out there for her.  And that when she was ready, he would be too.

Another part of the teariness came from time I was blessed to share with Deanna's parents, Dean and Donna, with Tim and Deanna (and Diana, her friend) last year in Hawaii.  I was able to get to know Tim a bit, to appreciate what a gem he is (and how much he reminds me of another laconic man in my life).  So knowing that Deanna was joining her life to his was especially sweet.

Of course, those few suppressed tears were nothing compared to the tears I shed during Dean's amazing tribute to Deanna and to the women in his life.  He made us laugh and cry, talking about Deanna; Donna; his mother, Pat; our (step)mother, Sally; his mother-in-law, Susie.  I was honored and humbled to by his words as he added me to the list.  Even now, I'm pressing the red rose he gave as a token. 

Other wonderful treats this weekend included spending time with our friend, Meredith on Friday afternoon.  Hanging with family on Friday night and limo-ing over to the restaurant with David having the time of his young life playing with all the buttons.  Golf (and some rare time) with Matt and Dale on Saturday morning.  Then lunch with Mom in Little Italy followed by a coffee shop visit with her friend, Tom.

To sum up the weekend, it was a gathering of family and friends.  Dean has a quote that he used...I feel it captures an important aspect of life, especially life as part of the Baldridge clan. 

It's a group where friends are family and family are friends.

Indeed.  What could be better?

Leave a Reply