This marks the 18th anniversary of the Swann Family News. For kicks I went back and read my first post to remember what life was like. Back then Jenna had just started kindergarten, Ben was enrolled in a Mother's Day Out program, and Nate was just beginning to sit up on his own and eat solid food. Pauline, Vicki’s mom, had moved next door from Camden that March and I was trying to mow three yards on a mower that was too small for the job. Our van had 153,000 miles on it. And when Vicki and I went out on a date, our night on the town was Captain Ds, grocery shopping at Kroger, and a rental movie from Blockbuster Video. We enjoyed free babysitting between Pauline, Mom, and Aunt Mar.
My how life has changed since then! Jenna and Nolan's wedding was Saturday and they are on their honeymoon in Savannah, Georgia, and then to Hilton Head, South Carolina. The Joneses went home yesterday, the Cotters are on the road for home now, and the boys return to Cookeville tomorrow. It's about to be really quiet around here.
I have to hand it to Jenna, she planned this thing to a T and stayed within budget. She and Nolan thought of every foreseeable detail, then Morgan volunteered to direct the wedding. She took Jenna's plan and executed it flawlessly. The weather was perfect.
Jenna hadn't asked for much help from us throughout the process but by the middle of last week things were ramping up and it was time to marshal the troops. What was so nice was that our family and the Magee family came together and made it all happen like a well oiled machine. All the women met at church Thursday and put in a long day decorating. When I got home from work and they took me up there to see it I was stunned. The centerpiece was an arch Nolan had made out of the old barn wood from the barn across the road that had been torn down back in the spring.
Friday turned out to be mowing day for me. I got up early and mowed our yard, most of which hadn't been mowed since July due to lack of rain, then I mowed the church yard. What was so helpful was that Nolan's dad, Steve, and three other men from his family came and trimmed and spruced up the landscaping at church. If I hadn't had their help this would not have gotten done as the job was too big for me alone in the time I had and the boys didn't get in from Cookeville until lunchtime. When the boys did get home they fell to doing the detail yard work at home that I didn't have time for and did a great job for me. After lunch we became the table and chair moving crew, hauling everything over from church to Jenna and Nolan's front yard (they are renting a house a couple of miles from church) for the rehearsal dinner that evening.
While all this was going on the women were enjoying a bridal brunch that Lori and Kathy hosted and served over at Kathy's house, which is where I grew up. We men were called in to clean up the leftovers for lunch. The bridal party and Vicki went to have their nails done that afternoon while the rest of the women put the finishing touches on the decor. It all came together in plenty of time for the 4:30 rehearsal.
The rehearsal went so smoothly we finished ahead of schedule and then went to Jenna and Nolan's house for the dinner. A large catering order was brought in from their favorite restaurant, Baja Burrito, and we enjoyed a pleasant evening talking under the trees and playing yard games. When it was time to give speeches you could hardly hear what was being said for the cicadas in the trees. It was an evening to remember. Everyone pitched in to move tables and chairs back to church for the reception.
Since it was a 10:30 wedding, the next morning was an early one for us. Jenna left at 5:30 and Vicki was out the door at 6:00. I followed a couple of hours later. What I didn't count on was having to stop at 6:30 that morning to clean out my septic line. At least that was a quick fix.
By 9:00 I got to see Jenna in her dress and enjoy a special moment with her. She was stunningly beautiful and that is a moment that will stick with me. She certainly takes after her mother who also looked beautiful as Mother of the Bride. Jenna had choreographed the schedule so well that we got to have these special moments, get all the pictures taken ahead of time, and were well clear of the sanctuary before the first guests arrived.
My memory slows down again when I met Jenna in the bridal room to escort her into the ceremony. Indeed, a special private moment with her, and it was hard to take my eyes off her as I walked her down the aisle. I almost tripped. She was so beautiful. They had asked me if I would pray, so after we got to the altar and Steve had everyone sit I opened the ceremony with my prayer (see below). That was hard to do.
Steve, who is an ordained Nazarene minister, officiated for Jenna and Nolan. He did a marvelous job, his words so appropriate. Jenna and Nolan moved to the unity candle. When they returned Vicki, Steve, Ginger (Nolan's mom), and I joined Jenna and Nolan on stage for a time of private prayer with them. This too, was very special. The whole time we were doing this Nolan's best man was singing a song he had written for them. After the vows and exchanging of rings my daughter became Mrs. Jenna Magee and we all marched out. Vicki and I high-fived before heading up the aisle.
The reception was in a large tent set up on the church lawn. Since the photos were out of the way there was no long wait. All the guests lined the pathway to the reception area and blew bubbles as Jenna and Nolan headed out to the tent. The coffee cart from Historic Perk proved to be very popular as well as the photo booth. The weather was absolutely perfect. It could have easily been 90° or hotter as is normal this time of year. People stayed and visited and Jenna and Nolan were able to really enjoy spending time with all who were there.
I think the most special memory I have of the day is watching Jenna and Nolan dance. They were totally in the moment. My guess is the crowd may have even disappeared for them. They seemed to be in a world unto themselves. It should be one of those special moments for them that feels like it will last forever but ends all too quickly all at the same time. Toward the end of the song Jenna put her head on Nolan's shoulder, closed her eyes, and the look of joy and contentment spread across her face. All was right in her world.
I'm sure a society columnist for a newspaper from back in the day would have written this differently. I know Jenna dazzled in her wedding gown and Vicki rocked a blue dress. But beyond that, well, these are just the memories of a very happy and grateful Father of the Bride. Vicki and I were reflecting as we drove to church in the rain Sunday (yesterday) morning that it was a fairy tale wedding. I can't think of a more appropriate way to describe it. I've joked with Jenna since she was little that all I was buying for her wedding was a ladder. Her comeback was always that she lived on the ground floor and didn't even need a step stool. Joking aside, her wedding was priceless and I wouldn't take anything for it.
Joe
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, for you in your infinite wisdom knew it was not good for a man to be alone and created a suitable partner for him. It was your idea that he leave the home of his childhood, unite with his wife in the covenant of marriage, and they create their own family, the very basis for society. It is for this reason that we pause to honor your great name and give you praise. Thank you for filling this place with your spirit.
We are here today because Nolan and Jenna are fulfilling this great commandment before you. They are leaving their families to start their own and in doing so they, like Joshua centuries ago, are committing that they and their house will serve you.
As Jenna's father I want to thank you for the privilege Vicki and I have had to raise her. You entrusted her into our care and blessed us abundantly through her. It is an honor to present her here at this altar knowing she is ready to start her own family. We thank you for Nolan whom you placed in her life. What a joy he is and are so pleased with the man he is before you.
It is my humble request that you bless them and keep them, that you shine your face upon them and be gracious to them, that your face is always turned toward them that they may have peace.
Amen
