The Wedding of Her Dreams. post scripit

I never got around to saying it, but the actual plan was to settle on a date for the wedding with Andria, and then surprise her by preparing everything for her and having the wedding a week earlier than she expected. It was a sneaky, sneaky plan, but sounded like bunches of fun. I had enrolled Larry, the curator of Avant Garden and the individual who was to do the flowers and decorations of the facility. We had chosen the menu and the restaurant that would cater the event. I had also enrolled all of those she took the Introduction to Leadership Program in the secret and Tricia Kapivick was in charge of keeping the group updated on events. It was fun to conspire with them and others in her world. Dear Dana in Missouri had conspired with me and helped to plan the invitations and helped me with the planning as well.

Well, one thing after another happened. Larry was opposed to the venue they had chosen and wanted something nicer. As we all looked at what Larry considered "nicer venues", the price of the wedding started escalating higher and higher. After looking at multiple venues and not being able to agree on one that was also in our price range, Larry gently suggested they take the money and go off and have a nice honeymoon. I didn't actually think they would do it. Boy was I wrong!

I left last Friday for Philidelphia to snowtube with my grandson Ethan. Before I left, I learned that Andria would be having her bachelorette party the Friday I would return to Houston. While in Philly, I learned that they were getting married Saturday night at their house. Bombshell!!! Who...What????

As soon as my plane landed, I was taken to the bachellorette party. We had dinner at the Grotto and then the girls went to a club and did the whole bachellorette thing. They had the kind of fun that I had more of an appreciation for back in my 20's or so. Okay, maybe into my 30's. I volunteered to miss that part of the evening. Saturday came and sure enough they were married in their home, by Dana, her Jewish friend and mentor. A Jewish minister? I never heard of such but it was a very nice ceremony, very personal and intimate. It was very sweet and touching to be right there within feet of my daughter and her intended. Had the wedding been anywhere else, I wouldn't have seen her face, his face, both so moved by the words the other spoke and almost brought to tears. Well, there actually were tears. Is that love or what?

So it is done. What had started as my Landmark Self Expression and Leadership project to give her the wedding of her dreams was complete. However the super secret surprise was not on Andria, it was on me!

Now they are in Rome, having a honeymoon of their dreams and what's more, Larry and I will be joining them on Tuesday. We fly out on Monday. We will be there to help take care of Bodhi so that they can have some time to themselves.

I declare that my project is complete and the legacy is the marriage of Andria and Andrew Dugas!

There will be a party when they return, and I think that Andrew has already got everything worked out. I'll be there to help in whatever capacity they need, but I do look forward to the next great event!!!