I will never forget the day. It was July 28th, 1990. It was also the hottest day of the summer. The church didn’t have air conditioning, and both my wife and I thought the minister was going to drop from heat exhaustion before he had the chance to marry us. I was a little teary-eyed, but it didn’t have anything to do with that fact…
I can still remember everything that happened that day. We were married in Montreal, even though we had already moved here seven months before in order for me to begin this radio program on CHFI. My wife had gone back to Montreal quite some time before the wedding day to finalize preparations, so I really didn’t see the bride until the night before, and then for just a quick kiss and a promise to be there the next afternoon.
The day dawned bright and beautiful, as beautiful as the bride herself. I have a framed photograph in my home office, where I write and prepare this show and my blog, of my wife in her wedding finery just before leaving to go to the church. It’s one of those photos that the photographer traditionally takes prior to the ceremony. It’s a beautiful moment in time captured for ever and reserved for a special place in my office.
The drive to the church was in the bright summer sunshine and when I arrived, I was anxious to be up at the front of the church. I had no idea the style of wedding dress my wife had picked. I was eager to see her escorted down the aisle by her father. It was a beautiful dress that she has carefully put away for safekeeping. We were back in Montreal just recently to visit my in-laws and we just happened to pass by the wedding boutique where she bought her dress. It brought back many fond memories for her.
As I said, the minister was sweating, and it had nothing to do with marrying the two of us; the church was like an oven. As I looked over the crowd of guests there to share in our special moment, I was stunned by the bride walking up the aisle with her father.
After the ceremony, we dove in a classic convertible to the riverfront and had our wedding photos snapped in a very green, picturesque location. There were a few other wedding parties there for exactly the same reason.
That night, my best friend made a spectacular speech as best man at our wedding. I’ve told you about him in a past blog. His name is ‘Don’ and that’s who I named my son after. He was funny and the wedding video shows both my wife and I responding to his witty remarks about ‘Lovers and Other Strangers’.
We had planned something very special for our reception. Not only did we have a traditional DJ who played Italian tarantellas for wife’s family, we also had one of the most popular bar bands in all of Montreal, ‘The Jimmy Dogs‘. They were our favorite group, and so we decided to really have a blow-out of a reception by engaging them for an exclusive performance at our wedding. The guests had a great time. We even had our reception crashed by a few guests in the hotel. We know this because they signed the guestbook “Batman and Robin“.
Tonight, for the very last song in the radio show, I will play the first song my wife and I danced to as husband and wife. I will always remember the very traditional Italian dance that had our guests in a circle around us as we danced. We even formed a circle around my wife and her father when they shared their special dance.
I remember almost every single moment of that day, 18 years ago today. I also remember all the planning and preparation that went into it. I also remember how it seemed to pass by at breakneck speed. We plan so far in advance to make our day just right, only for it to come and go so fast.
My wife and I want to arrange a special party for our 25th. We were thinking of trying to arrange to have The Jimmy Dogs play a reunion concert. I don’t even know if they’re still together, 18 years later.
I seem to remember an old Flintstone’s episode that had Fred and Barney conspiring to go bowling with the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloon Fred and Wilma’s wedding anniversary, or another special occasion just as important. And here I am away from my wife. We seem to miss spending Valentine’s Day together as well. But she knows that this blog and this radio show tonight are dedicated to her.
Happy anniversary, Lydia! We are so blessed with two happy, healthy children and a great life together. I could not ask for more. Here’s to 18 more….and many more beyond that…
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Don Jacskon
Hi Don Jackson, enjoy your show…truly it is a pleasure winding down the evening listening to your wonderful stories…I really enjoyed the one you mentioned about the mother worried about her daughter being an “old maid”, however, she did not settle & found her compatible spouse…I looked thru the archives & cannot find that story and I would really like to hear it all because I only caught the end of it while re-entering the car. If possible please forward to me. It is quite reassuring & would like to share it with a few others. Thank you & best wishes. Gina.
- Gina Rendon