I was married during the month of November and I awoke on my wedding day to find a cold, wet and drizzly morning. All was going well, until an old friend decided to telephone me to chitchat on the day of my wedding. I don’t know what in the world she was thinking. I had an early afternoon ceremony and plenty of things to do to get ready, as well as have wedding photographs taken.

After I got rid of my chatty telephone friend, everything began to go as planned. The photographer, my grandparents, my future in-laws and my bridesmaids all arrived on time for the photo session. My matron of honor helped me with my make up. The caterer showed up and began preparations for the reception. I was enjoying my morning and with so much going on no one noticed my grand parents disappear.

Grandma and Grandpa’s plan was to wait in their car until my mother and father drove me to the church where the ceremony was to take place. Then they could simply follow us to the chapel. My grandparents backed out of the driveway and parked in front of the house and faced north. However when it was time for my family to head to the church, we backed out of the driveway and headed south to get to the church. Grandma and Grandpa didn’t even see us as they sat waiting in the car.

After reaching the church, I waited in the parlor with my father, who would walk me down the aisle, and my bridesmaids. Mother acted as a greeter and hostess as the guests began to enter the church. Noticing that her in-laws (my grandparents) had not arrived, Mom came to bring the ominous news to my father and me.

“Harry,” she said to my dad, “your parents aren’t here.” This news was delivered minutes before the service was supposed to start. I panicked as I imagined all the wedding guests prepared for a lovely ceremony that wouldn’t be starting anytime too soon. “What happens when the organist runs out of things to play before the service?” I screamed.

Back at my parent’s home, my grandparents had figured out that we had already left for the church and went back inside to ask the caterers for help. I can’t remember if someone telephoned to give them directions, if someone went to pick them up, or if they found the church on their own. But I do remember that as I took my father’s arm as we began to walk down the aisle all anxiety and worries melted away.

Everyone at the wedding ceremony was there to share in my very special day and I recall an enormous feeling of love. The service went off without a hitch and everyone went back to my parent’s house for the reception.

None of the wedding guests had any idea that my grandparents were late for the service, and other than that slight miscommunication the day was perfect.

By Sally, married in Severna Park, Maryland

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