Red Tent

You know it’s funny how I have so many friends that are writers – I seem to collect them like the books they write.  I’m not full of stories like these folks are but every once in a while I get inspired.  I watched “The Red Tent” last night and that is a powerful story.  I laughed and cried and felt for Dena.  I read the book once long ago and it still sits on my bookshelf because it was a book that I wanted to read again… I’ve just not gotten to it… I probably will now.

I miss having a group of women friends that share like they did in that red tent.  I have belonged to groups like this in the past but for one reason or another they have all broken apart and gone separate ways.  Maybe it was the blood bond that kept those women together in the red tent or maybe it was the shared circumstance, the only safe place they had.  Whatever the reason we need more red tents.

Getting the cart before the horse - maybe

I posted that they were engaged before but I never posted a pic of the ring:

Sunday, December 7, 2014 - A Big Day!

I should back up to Thursday night about 11:00pm. I got a text from Erik asking if I was still awake. "yes" I replied and then waited.... and waited... and waited.. finally I texted back "Why" I got a phone call (at this point in time I'm now worried about what is so important to call me at 11 at night!) it's Erik asking what I had planned for the weekend. "Nothing in particular." "Well don't make any plans for Sunday - Meghan and I are going to get married. "

At this point I think I must have stuttered or something - "Uh, ok. Sunday? This Sunday?" 
"Yes, mom, this Sunday - I'll call you tomorrow and let you know more about it."

I then received a text that Meghan sent out to all of her relatives and Erik's announcing the happy news. Of course this is followed by several replies (people just type and hit send not realizing everyone gets the text!) So I was still up till well after midnight.

So Friday, they went to get their marriage license and Erik needed his Social Security Card which was in the safe in his hold room at my house. So I got a call from Miss Meghan asking if I would bring it over to where she works over lunch so that she can run it back up to city hall. We get the license taken care of and that evening they both come over to talk about the plans.

They had originally planned to go to the Art Museum in Forest Park (St. Louis) but found out that they would not be allowed to without permits and it was too late to get one. So they moved it to St. Charles Frontier park which is right along the Missouri River. They used the old train station which was decorated for Christmas so it was pretty.

Saturday night Meghan came over and we put together the decorations for the tables and little bags of Hershey Kisses for the guests (“Hugs and Kisses from the Mr. and Mrs”). There was glitter and spray paint and lots of giggling involved. Erik’s brothers took him out for dinner and to play pool and of course there was alcohol involved. They brought him back after a few hours (he’s a lightweight) and they left, Meghan saying she would be back in the morning to finish. 





Sunday morning bright and early (7:00 am) Meghan and her Maid of Honor Tiffany were back at my house to finish the decorations and pull rose petals for showering the bride and groom once the ceremony was concluded. Austen was Erik’s Best Man so we had to find him something to wear as well.

We left for the park at 1:00 but found that there was a parade down Main Street which was blocking all traffic to the park! We finally found a way around but there were several guests in the same predicament so the ceremony was delayed a bit. Finally they wedding began and when they were pronounced Man and Wife - Erik dipped Meghan while the rose petals showered down on them. It was very romantic!














We then all when to a local restaurant for dinner and cake. 








We made it back home about 6:30 or 7:00. Exhausted but very happy for the newly married couple. They are planning a honeymoon in the spring next year along with a bigger party.

And that is how I spent my weekend.