Bon Voyage
The day of the wedding I spent more time away from my baby than ever before. He woke up at 6 and we had family time til 9. Then the bridesmaids gathered for breakfast and headed to the salon.
The woman doing my bridal updo had long fingernails and said “It’s hawt!” quite a bit. I was not entirely sure if she meant my hair or was going through menopause. There was a little champagne and a lot of hairspray making things foggy. I pumped in a back room used for massage, while hidden speakers played soft new age chords. Took an iPhone self-portrait of the updo, before make-up.
We all staggered out, transformed. By mid-afternoon we were being shuttled back to the cabin, several pounds heavier with all the Bobby pins. Nails done, lashes long, lips plump. We shimmied into our dresses, drank champagne. The bride was beautiful in a dress made just for her from the fabric of her mother’s wedding gown. The florist and photographer agreed we were a force to be reckoned with.
After the pre-nuptial photos we retreated to the cabin as the groomsmen and guests arrived. We drank champagne and watched tried to hear the string quartet from partially-opened windows. The flower girl danced with the bride to music playing on her MacBook.
The ceremony was lovely. I cried as they read their vows. Afterwards we went upstairs for crabcakes and champagne. Congratulations to the couple. Photos of the wedding party. The bride and groom were announced.
Zac had only left the baby with the sitters around 3:30 and the wedding was at 4:00. Even though I had been away from him all day he had been with his father for most of it. We had two young women who were recommendec by a friend a co-worker. Three babies, one thousand toys. They were fine.
We were seated for dinner. Then toasts, champagne, dancing. I cried again as the father of the bride spoke about his little girl, as the groom danced with his mother.
My sweetpea is not even a year yet, but someday he will be all grown up. Someday he will love a girl more than his mother.
We celebrated. And around 10:30 we were back at the hotel, paying babysitters, Bug wide awake, quick shower to relieve the hairspray and unstick the Bobby pins. Nursing him to sleep. Sweet bug.
Sunday we had coffee and donuts and wished the happy couple a wonderful honeymoon. Baby had a donut with chocolate drizzle and ran around the hotel conference room like a sugar fiend.
He charmed all the women and out-ran all the men. We packed him into the carseat and he sacked out. He survived all the activities, babysitters, separation. We made it home intact. Tired. Happy. Well beloved.
