On Friday morning, May 9, Susan and I picked up Molly and went to get manicures and pedicures at Hair Forum. Dal took Adam and Nic to Pat Wasson’s to pick up the ferns. Thank goodness they were able to do that! There would have been no way I would have had the time to work that in! When they got home, I couldn’t believe that the three men actually fit in Cody's truck with all those ferns; they were everywhere!

When we got home from Hair Forum, Susan took a nap and the Tetlows called; they were at the Pilot House. We told them to stop by. They did, and we had a nice little visit with them. Unfortunately, Susan slept the whole time so she was unable to visit with them.

We had to be at the church at 6:30 p.m. for the rehearsal. There were so many things to bring with us! I was so excited I could hardly stand it! We got there on time and were greeted by the two ladies who were assigned to us by the church…Donna Patrosh and Barb Sawicki. Many of the people were already there…her bridesmaids; the groomsmen; Karlen, Brennan, Sadie and Eleanor Clayton; Matt Honkala; Katie, Jeannette and Victoria; and Becky, Mike and their baby daughter. The photographer showed up shortly after we did.

I was pinching myself, barely able to believe that I was standing in St. Anne Chapel on the eve of our daughter’s wedding day!!! It was beyond exciting! I came a little bit down to earth as I emptied my bank account…$200 for Linda Phillips, the music director; $65 for Barb Sawicki; $65 for Donna Patrosh; and $100 for Fr. Jim. Bev Clayton had already told me they wouldn’t be there. She wanted to be home getting ready for all the guests. One thing that made an extraordinary event even more special was the fact that it was Dallas’ 37th birthday!

We had invited Maggie and Oggie and Barbara and Dale. The Klemens couldn’t be there due to a prior commitment, but Maggie and Oggie came, which was good since their entire family was there! We also invited the Tetlows and the Ferrys, our out of town guests. The Ferrys couldn’t make it. They were staying with Carol and Larry Lantz and were taking them out to dinner, but the Tetlows were able to come, which was great!

We arrived at Clayton’s by 8:30, right about the time we expected to be there. Many people were there already. It was wonderful mingling with all these people on such an amazing night! I was anxious for Susan and Robin to arrive, and finally they did! I couldn’t wait for everyone to meet Robin and for her to meet Brian.

Molly had invited Jen Petersen to stay with us that night. I wasn’t happy about it because it was our last night with our single daughter. When we got home from Clayton’s, we five girls sat up for at least an hour chatting; it was fun. Jen is delightful but I just wanted it to be family that night. It worked out fine, however. Jen and Molly each took a couch (well, one had the couch; the other had the loveseat!).