by Sheri Fresonke Harper

Created on: September 09, 2009

My Fall Wedding

I'm normally quite organized, but my wedding nearly defeated me. I adored my fiancee and met him at work and then felt awkward about continuing to do so. So, I quit my job and went on my honeymoon. Now, you're probably scratching your head wondering just how is it that I went on a honeymoon prior to the wedding? Just trust me on this, if you have travel plans, you might as well keep them and not worry about making events consecutive, with time travel, or a flexible spirit, everything works out.

When we returned from out first pre-marriage honeymoon, we set the wedding date for October. I was hired into my new position in May after I finished jury duty. Meanwhile we bought a house and planned to hold the rehearsal dinner at our new home. Oops, there was a slight problem with the house or actually the owner and after a three month delay where they expected to keep our money and not let us buy the house and a court date, we were allowed to move in.

So with our arrangements working out again, we just had to rush faster, and I added a fifteen year reunion to the mix and my aunt's 50thanniversary, too, just for the fun of making my schedule lively. I began to order the cake, rent the hall, ask friends and family to take part, and the usual sorts of things. Then, one morning the phone rang at 6 a.m. It was my future father-in-law.

As I wiped the last tendrils of dreams from mind, I deciphered the quiet words coming from the receiver. "This is Don. Is this Sheri?"

I sat up, wondering if something bad had happened. "Yes."

"What would you say if I offered to take you and Bob to South Africa?"

I closed my eyes. "Uh, maybe you should talk to Bob." With a shaky hand I passed off the receiver to Bob. South Africa? Why South Africa? I slumped back in bed. And why call at 6 a.m.? But it was too late to sleep anymore so I laid still and listened to the odd chatter.

When my fianc hung up, he took my face in his hands and said, "The answer is yes, the only questions are how and when."

Just to keep this story short, we went to South Africa as a second pre-honeymoon gift from my in-laws and the only problems were asking my new boss for time off and the timing-the tour was scheduled to return two weeks before the wedding. As if I didn't have enough problems but Bob was correct, the chance go on a wildlife safari was awesome in the least.

The downside was we never made the reunion or my aunt's fiftieth wedding anniversary, something I felt truly bad about since they died shortly after. That's the thing about autumn weddings, age plays a role and regrets happen but usually you recognize love when you see it.

So, finally the day came. We slept in late, went for a walk and lunch, then loaded the car. Oops, flat tire. So we arrived forty minutes late and everyone was waiting for the decorations we had in order to get set up, meanwhile, guests started to arrive. I finally had to stop working and get dressed in my wedding gown and from then on, everything went well. The chrysanthemums were stunning, the music played by friends of friends gorgeous, the pictures surprisingly okay if a bit sparse dues to a sick nephew. And as the stereo played "Ode to Joy", the sun slowly sank over the lake with Mt. Rainier ablaze in color and friends wished us well and we've left on another honeymoon every year since.

Learn more about this author, Sheri Fresonke Harper.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.