November 24, 2008

• Whirlwind Weekend in Virginia

  Hi, everyone! Johnny, Jack and I returned today from a whirlwind weekend in northern Virginia, where we attended our good friend Michelle's wedding festivities. We also had the pleasure of staying with Jenn and Andy, two fellow happily married Northwestern alumni.  We got in late Friday night, and left early this morning, so I am extremely tired, although we all had a great time.

  Friday: It's a long story, but Jack and I ended up having to take a different flight than Johnny out to Dulles. Jack was good on the 4.5-hour-long flight, but unfortunately, we had the middle seat, and the flight was already overbooked, so there was no chance of switching seats. The woman sitting to my right clearly hated children. When she saw me and Jack sitting next to her, she called someone (her husband?) to complain that she was sitting next to a child. One time, Jack was waving around an empty ziploc bag, and it happened to swipe her on the arm. I apologized right away, but she glared at me and went, "Uh!" and turned her whole body over to the window. Sheesh! Jack ended up sleeping for most of the flight, and only cried for about five minutes total. I think he did very well for someone who was confined to a small lap for almost five hours, but the woman next to us was not amused. I know it's no picnic to sit next to a toddler, but could she not have a little sympathy for me, who couldn't drink anything on the entire flight because I couldn't even go to the bathroom?

  Anyway, other than that, the travel was smooth. We met up with Johnny at the airport, claimed our luggage and took a cab to Jenn and Andy's house. Jenn and I were in Delta Zeta together, and actually, she was (is!) my pledge great-granddaughter. Johnny joked last night that we would be lucky if one day, our real great-grandchildren took as great care of us as Jenn and Andy did this weekend! Jenn and Andy have a beautiful, cozy home, and an adorable, sweet dog. They really went out of their way to make us feel comfortable -- they borrowed a pack and play for Jack to sleep in, bought organic whole milk, some of Jack's favorite snacks, new toys for him to play with, babysat him on Saturday night while we were at the rehearsal dinner, and drove Johnny and Jack around while I was doing wedding party stuff on Saturday. Honestly, I'm not sure how we could have pulled off this weekend without them!

  Saturday: After a few hours' sleep, Jenn drove me to pick up my rental car at the airport (the office was closed by the time we arrived Friday night). I then went to meet Michelle for a pre-wedding mani/pedi at this fancy day spa, then lunch and last-minute honeymoon packing. Meanwhile, Johnny and Jack also had fun with Jenn, Andy and Chloe (the aforementioned adorable dog).

  Jenn and Andy practice for the future; Jack finds their kitchen delightful

   

  I returned to the house Saturday afternoon to get ready for the rehearsal dinner and pack an overnight bag, since I would be spending the night with Michelle and Laura (another bridesmaid) at the hotel that night. Before Johnny and I left for the rehearsal dinner, though, Jenn and I played with Jack's new blocks.

  

  The rehearsal dinner was delicious -- we had roast duck with risotto and endive, and a bunch of appetizers, plus a dessert of yummy butterscotch bread pudding. Zach and Sandi sat at our table, along with Laura and a groomsman, and we shared plenty of laughs and inappropriate jokes. The only bummer of the night was that it was so cold. I don't normally associate DC with temps in the low 30s in November. Had I known it would be that cold, I would have brought a different dress!

  Laura, Michelle and I at the rehearsal; Michelle and Eric before their big day

  

  Saturday marked my second night of little or no sleep. Ironically, Michelle, the bride, got plenty of sleep, but Laura and I tossed and turned all night! I don't sleep well in a hotel the first night, and I was also nervous about giving my toast at the reception the next day.

  Sunday: All too soon, 7 a.m. arrived, and it was time to start getting ready. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the ceremony, because I left the camera with Johnny, and he came in a few minutes late with Jack. Johnny was prepared with snacks for Jack, so Jack was thankfully quiet for the ceremony.

  The ceremony itself was short but really beautiful. I'd never been to a Jewish wedding before, so everything was new to me. Michelle and Eric were so happy. Of course, Michelle made a gorgeous bride, and the gown she chose was perfect for her. The wedding was at this big manor with lots of windows, so you could see outside to the beautiful fall day.

  After the ceremony, of course, the party began!

  Johnny and Jack in their yarmulkes (I didn't know every man and boy got them!); Jack enjoys the cocktail hour band

  

  Picture perfect in his argyle, pinstripes and cords; Jack and I dancing

  

  Sitting down to eat (I had jerk chicken, Jack had a kids meal with chicken fingers, mashed potatoes and peas, and Johnny had the teriyaki salmon with sticky rice)

  

  Michelle's first dance with Eric; father-daughter dance

  

  More fun dancing!

  

  

  Jack actually wears his yarmulke long enough for this picture; Michelle and I

  

  Jack rests for a moment; Zach roasts a marshmallow for his s'more (that's right, tableside s'mores for dessert!)

  

  Here's a mini-reunion: We all lived in the same dorm at Northwestern!

  

  Oh, my toast went very well. Phew! This was the third one I've done, and I'm always so honored to give them, but I get so nervous because I want to make sure my friends are happy with what I say on their big day!

  After the wedding, we returned to Jenn and Andy's, where they had cooked a delicious beef stew for us. After we put Jack to bed, we enjoyed the stew with bread, salad and great conversation. Last night, I definitely fell asleep promptly!

  This morning, we got up at 5:45 a.m. to begin our day of travel. Now, we're home for just three days, and then it's off to St. Louis for Johnny's high school reunion! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

  • 8:11 pm
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