Good morning. Katie and I were supposed to "do" lunch today, but rain and more rain, plus flash flood warnings (this is like dessert to our weather forecasters), keep us at home.
Fifty-two years ago the weather was much like this, windy rain off and on for most of the day. I was married on this day to a boy, a U.S. Marine, I had known for exactly one year. He had just met my family a few days earlier, although my parents met him in June when they visited Washington, D.C., where we worked and where we met. His mother and his same-age cousin came; his mother by air and his cousin by Greyhound bus. He left right after the wedding to go back -- he was a student at Tulane University and had classes on Monday that he didn't want to miss, having missed Thursday and Friday. This cousin -- R.G. -- looked like Jeff Chandler, a handsome movie star of the 50's (he played Cochise in a movie I can't name). The people in the church all thought he was the father of the groom since he walked up the aisle behind the mother of the groom! She wasted no time putting everyone straight, because this particular cousin was no favorite of hers and his father, Uncle Nancy, was even less so. (Nancy was really Nuncio, but that soon became "Nancy" growing up in his neighborhood and that was his name ever after. He was a respected Captain with the Fire Department. My brother, Mark, thought that was hilarious and laughed every time he thought of it, but we all loved Uncle Nancy and didn't think it was odd at all.)
After the wedding, the family and wedding party went into town to a hotel where there was a wedding breakfast hosted by my parents. The guests were left to do whatever they could manage. This seems odd today, of course, but that was the standard in 1955. The reception was from 3-5 in the afternoon with cake and mints and finger sandwiches. No music. No alcohol. Quite dull I'm sure, but no different from any other at that time.
We spent our honeymoon at Lowell Inn in Stillwater. It was known as the honeymoon hotel and was very nice. Since I had made all the arrangements, our reservation was under my name. We were trying to be very low-key and were embarrassed when Daddy was told they had no reservation for him. He looked helplessly at me and then it dawned on me to tell them to try Tompkins. And there it was and there was our low-key bubble burst and now everyone knew we were newlyweds. Oh well. Does anyone remember us do you suppose???
October 25, 2003. Rest in peace. I miss him a lot. As do we all
Love the story, Mom. I don't think I ever met R.G. although he helped me get concert tickets in Houston all those years ago (1976, I think). Is that Gwen's and Jackie's father? I remember you crying when Uncle Nancy put the $80 price on the back glass of that '53 Buick in white shoe polish.
I remember Uncle Nancy and Aunt Jane always brought ice cream when they came to visit. Happy Anniversary Mom. I think about Daddy often and miss him very much.
Elizabeth, Mama, and the boys and I will be visiting the cemetery on Thursday and then lunching at Chateau Cafe in Lakeview if anyone is interested.
I miss Daddy very much, too, and think about him every single day. Uncle Nancy and Aunt Jane were both really nice people. They also brought Oreo cookies with the ice-cream in the purple K&B bag. As I recall, that was the only time we ever got Oreos and what a treat they were!
Ms. Ginnie,
What a lovely story and it sounds like a perfect wedding. I'm sorry to say I don't think I ever had the pleasure of meeting Uncle Nancy. Growning up here in New Orleans "Uncle Nancy" makes perfect sense to me. You should hear some of my relatives nick names. Happy Anniversary!
You mention going into town for the wedding breakfast. Where were you married? Where was the breakfast held?
Keep the stories coming, they're all new to me!
Laura -- After the ceremony at St. Thomas church in south Minneapolis, the entire wedding party trekked to downtown Minneapolis to a hotel -- sorry, I can't remember which one -- for an elegant and elaborate breakfast. Back then, everyone was fasting before Communion, so we were all starving. The reception was held in a beautiful 1890's mansion and I can't remember where in south Minneapolis that was. The name of the street starts with an "E" if that helps anyone, a block or so off of Hennepin Avenue. Emerson maybe?
Another thing I was thinking about yesterday is that there were two children, Gary and Beth, in my wedding. Gary was four and very outgoing. Beth was 3-1/2 and very shy. There was concern among the grownups that Beth might not be willing to walk down the aisle. Well, when the moment came, it was Gary who dug in his heels and when Beth saw him pull a face, she took him by the elbow and marched, I mean MARCHED, him to the altar.
I don't suppose either of them remembers their fifteen moments of fame.
Thanks for asking.
How about 22nd & Blaisdell? I can't for the life of me remember the name of the building. It is still used for wedding receptions. There are a few listed when I googled mansions in MN.
I have been to the Lowell Inn for Sunday brunch before. It's still very nice.
Laura -- I think that was called either McCarthy or Murphy House, but no, that wasn't it. I believe the one we went to was torn down for all that road work around the Basilica, but I'm not sure about it. The house you're talking about was more popular, many of my friends had their receptions there, but my mother called around and found this one that was much cheaper. $85 for the two hours, including the food. It was a family's home and was very beautiful, and they were the ones who gave the party -- made the food and cleaned up afterwards and so forth. Okay, one other thing and then I'll give up my anniversary for this year. My mother was a very conservative, traditional sort of lady. The woman who ran the reception hall talked her into a pale pink and white wedding cake. Nobody had ever heard of anything but a white, three-tiered cake, but mine was absolutely a piece of work. Very beautiful. As far as I know, though, nobody commented on the fact that it was pale pink covered in white roses and scrolls and so on. Maybe nobody knew what to make of something so out of the ordinary, so decided it would be good manners to pretend not to notice. Hmmm?
Mama, I love the story about your wedding, reception, etc. Lot of fun.
Yes I can remember parts of the wedding I don't remember marching or should I say pulling Gary! I love your stories they are wonderful keep them coming.
So, how was lunch yesterday?
It was good. Angela, Christina, and I are devotees of the chicken salad at this place, so that's what we had. Elizabeth says the chicken salad is "gross" and also "inedible" so she had a turkey/swiss cheese sandwich. Luke ate half of Samuel's ham sandwich and then while Samuel was dipping his french fries in ketchup, Luke ate the other half. I'm glad we went. How about April next?