Happy Anniversary Grampy!

Dear Grampy Dave,
We weren't thinking about being grandparents 33 years ago today! I hate cliches but "time marches on"! Remember the beautiful sunny day that preceeded the 6th? And how hard it rained ON the 6th? I mean I don't recall in my lifet any time that it rained as hard for as long as it did. That didn't dampen my spirits of course, but hearing about my grandmother's major stroke the night before certainly did. What would my wedding day be without my dear grandmother there! It was all somewhat of a blur after I heard the news.

But despite the clouds in hanging over our heads so many ways , there were many more bright shining moments on that day a few decades ago. As my dad went to walk me down the aisle, he knew I was thinking about his mother, and he heard my intake of breath to hold back the tears. Despite his own concern, he whispered in my ear, "Let's skip!" The photo of me entering the church shows a huge smile, the beginning of a laugh. Thanks Dad! That moment will remain in my heart forever. He put aside his own worries to bring a smile to my face on my wedding day.

Then I met you at the front of the church, where my MacDougall grandparents, my parents and my siblings were all married. You held my hand tight and winked at me. The recording of the ceremony captures my voice clear and confident. Without you hand on mine it would not have been so. I think I even held my own against your natural radio voice.

I remember the strains of Mario Lanza's recording of "The Lord's Prayer" resounding through the church that made the hair on my neck stand up as I had hoped and knew it would. Despite the fact that our first-time-wedding minister forgot to say, "You may kiss the bride!" in his nervousness, it truly was the ceremony we wanted.

Thank heavens for Peter Jackson golf umbrellas! Getting in and out of the church was tricky, but didn't it make it more memorable and a subject of much conversation over the years. I still remember water running in the toes of my shoes!

My uncle Henry did the toast to the bride. He's gone now and I still miss him. But having him play such an important role on our big day will be with me always. I danced with your grandfather even though he was unsteady and had to cut it short. He would always treat me like one of his own, so special when you lose your own grandfathers at a young age.

Your mother had such LONG hair almost as long as she was, and I remember how she got it all cut off before the wedding (because you told her the bun made her look older than she was!) Maybe not the tactful way to put it, but she did look nice. Hard to believe Nanny and Grampy Morell are gone now. I couldn't have asked for more loving, caring in-laws. I loved them too.

We decided to spend our wedding night in our new apartment rather than a hotel since we were leaving for Bermuda the next day. Remember when we realized my sisters had filled our luggage with confetti and we dumped it all in a sheet outside our apartment door? How hard we laughed! I was too wound up over the whole day to drink the wine you had ready for us... but you handled that one on your own! ;-)

I can't believe we didn't think to stock our new fridge with enough food for breakfast. Sorry about having to make a trip to Tim Hortons in the rain (in a pair of ripped cutoffs, your old numbered jersey, a no-crush fishing hat and sunglasses to hide the wine-red eyes) for a muffin so your new bride wouldn't faint in the shower!

I remember you apologizing for not having the yellow roses that you'd planned for me. They arrived at your mother's place so there would be someone to receive them and since they didn't have a card, she thought they were for her (and she shared them with my mother who had stopped by)... remember they didn't have a full dozen so there were eight... four for each of them. You didn't have the heart to tell them they were supposed to be for me! But I've loved getting eight instead of a dozen in years since.

Challenges of the day aside it was a wonderful wedding day. One that even 33 years later, I'd eagerly do again! Happy Anniversary Grampy Dave, from your "first wife". I love you. Still together. Still forever. And ever amen.