My Best Friend's Wedding

 My friend, Caroline, and I met in first or second grade. I cannot remember which it was, but I remember the school we were at and it just seemed like one day I met her and the next we were best friends. She moved to a town near Detroit a few years later, but we always kept in touch and saw each other during summertime. It helped that her grandparents lived in the same town as me.

When my mom died she was one of the first people I called. She and her mom came for the funeral and several months later they came back to help clean the last of the things from my mother's house. They did this in the middle of winter with no heat in the house. Considering the circumstances, it was still a great time and I look back at those days with fondness and love. I am amazed that they cared enough to do that with me.

 Shortly after that, Caroline moved to Texas. She had found a wonderful man that made moving worth it. Recently, they got engaged and planned to have their wedding in Manistee.

As soon as I found out the date I had a room booked in Manistee. I started saving money each week. There was no way I was going to miss this wedding! Of course, the week leading up to leaving I seemed to have no end of difficulties. Little things went wrong, big things went wrong. Still, I decided we were going no matter what. After all, we had not gone anywhere out of town in the year since we moved here and I felt we could all use the time away.

 My beautiful friend and her Texan got married at the Ramsdell Inn in Manistee. The building has an interesting history and is right downtown with a view of the bridge and river.

Irene was a flower girl in the wedding and got to wear a beautiful dress and cowboy boots! In fact, the bride and bridesmaids wore them, too!

 After the wedding there were some finger foods and drinks served while pictures were taken. Unfortunately, it rained and rained and rained the entire weekend. Caroline had planned on pictures taken on the beach and other areas of town, but had to have mostly inside ones taken.

 I think they need to have a party for their one year anniversary and have some pictures taken then. Of course, this would mean we'd all get to come back and have fun again!

 The kids were fairly well-behaved during the ceremony. It was fairly short so Gavin tried sitting still...with a few funny faces thrown in.

 Henry wore the hat he got from Uncle Peter for his birthday. He did have it off for the ceremony and a lesson was given on why men do not wear hats inside.

 The reception was held at the Rockin' R Stables in Bear Lake. It was still raining and so we were all inside. Caroline had planned for a hayride and even horseback riding, but that darn rain messed that up. I didn't mind the rain and lack of activities. The room we were in had a big fireplace. It was rustic but cute and the decorations just added to the country feel.

 They had Eddie D's doing the catering. During the summer he does food at the beach house at the main beach in Manistee. His food is good and the food he did for the reception was fantastic. Keeping with the country theme they had ribs, corn-on-the-cob, coleslaw, biscuits, beans. There was wine, pop, beer and even a beer that had been made especially for the wedding.

 Bubbles were handed out, in mini champagne bottles, and the kids were entertained with blowing bubbles all around. Big Texas mugs were given out as well as chocolate popcorn.

 After dinner was finished, big batches of cheese popcorn, caramel popcorn and butter popcorn were brought out.

 Caroline and Sean had a dance together to a song that has special meaning to them. Some very sweet speeches were given. The cake was cut and shared. The entire event was so cozy and had such a family feel. I loved every second of it. The roof even leaked in one spot in the middle of the room. I thought it added to the whole feel of the evening. I know that things did not go the way they were planned, but I thought it was the best wedding I've ever attended. I think a lot of that atmosphere was from the people. No drama, just lots of good feeling and love.

 One of the funniest parts of the evening were the goats. They roamed freely and to use the bathrooms you had to leave the building we were in and cross the lane to another. There the goats came in and out. Lots of pictures were taken of those goats! At one point a goat tried sneaking into our building through the back door. It just happened to be right were the cake was set up. Perhaps he wanted a piece?

 We stayed until 9pm. On our short drive back to Manistee we saw a coyote on the side of the road. Totally kept with that country theme of the evening!

 It was the best weekend and the best wedding. I loved being with Caroline and her mom.

 When I first heard that Caroline and Sean were getting married I decided to make Caroline a wedding shawl. I actually made two. Since her dress was an off-white/ivory color she wore the creamy colored shawl. Her dress was gorgeous and totally something I would pick out. I thought the shawl went nicely with it.

 I am thrilled we got to be a part of the day. We all thoroughly enjoyed it.

Congratulations to Caroline and Sean!!!!!