The Wedding

I left for NC on Thursday, June 20th. I checked into the hotel, had a nice swim and then met Keegan, Amy, and her immediate family for supper in Cary. Afterwards, Keegan came back to the hotel with me and we sat outside and talked for a couple of hours before he left to pick Caleb up at the airport. He and Caleb enjoyed some one-on-one time Thursday night and stayed with a friend of Keegan's. Friday morning Caleb, Keegan, and I had breakfast at Panera Bread and then hit the stores to get the food items and supplies for the rehearsal dinner that night. It was lots of fun having some time with the two of them before all the festivities began and having help with the rehearsal dinner preparation kept me from getting overly anxious. We actually got a lot done that morning. Breakfast, rehearsal dinner shopping and prep, Caleb got a haircut, we went shopping for some clothes for him and a few other things and still got back to the hotel before family started arriving.

Rehearsal

We enjoyed a swim with everyone that afternoon and then headed to the park for the rehearsal. The weather was really great for June in NC. The humidity was low and it was a beautiful day. The pastor's wife, Barbara, did a fantastic job of getting everyone organized and running through the ceremony a couple times. Then we all enjoyed visiting and eating under the pavilion. Keegan had 2 best men, Caleb & David, and Amy had 2 Maids of Honor, Loren & Jess.  Caleb gave his toast on Friday night along with Loren. Then all the groomsmen took off for the bachelor party which was lazer tag and bumper cars. Sounds like they had a really fun time and completed the evening with the group gathering around Keegan to pray for him. Most of the guys spent the night at the same place, then Caleb and some of the guys fixed a big breakfast on Saturday morning before heading over to set up the Senior Center for the reception.

It rained lightly on Saturday morning, but just as Keegan, the pastor and best men walked out, the clouds gave way to very bright sunshine. We were actually glad when clouds came back over for most of the ceremony. It was a very meaningful, beautiful, simple ceremony in a lovely outdoor setting with lots of family and friends in attendance. Amy was radiant, Keegan beaming. It was hot, but could have been much worse for this time of year. Caleb escorted the 2 grandmothers and me into the wedding and he was to escort us all out also or so I thought. On the day of the wedding there was a surprise - Keegan came back and escorted me out. It was a very unexpected and pleasant surprise.

Amy looked gorgeous in her beautiful gown.

Mr. & Mrs. Keegan Rice!

We enjoyed good food, 2 more toasts to the newly weds, fun, laughter and dancing at the reception. Keegan and I had planned a special dance that was fun and carefree and gave everyone a laugh. Definitely not your traditional mother/son slow dance and I think we needed that break from tradition just now. From the rehearsal dinner to the bachelor party to the reception, there were no alcoholic beverages. It's a great testimony that people can have lots of fun without it. We saw Keegan and Amy off amid a car full of balloons and bubbles floating around in the air. Another great testimony to their wonderful church group is that less than half an hour after K&A left, chairs and tables were folded up, the floor swept and things packed away. I spoke with the parks & recreation man and he said he had never seen a group clean up so quickly and so well. It truly was a wonderful day from start to finish and now I have a wonderful daughter!

Our boys, Keegan & Caleb. Caleb always said
Keegan would probably get married first!

On Sunday, the Rice side of the family (minus K&A, of course) headed to the beach for a couple of days. It was really great to spend time with family just having fun in the waves, kayaking, playing bocce ball, board games and talking. Since Caleb lives in Arizona, I don't get to spend much time with him, so it was especially nice to have lots of time with him. On Sunday night, we did have a family conference to discuss Mike's situation and they were all eager to help me look for resources and facilities that might be of help in his recovery. Of course, throughout the weekend and beach trip, Mike was missed and there was an underlying sadness. It had really hit Keegan hard in the last few weeks that his Dad would not be able to be at his wedding. I had my moments throughout also, but am thankful I was able to enjoy this special event with Keegan, Amy, Caleb and most of the family.

Caleb and I enjoyed an early morning walk
 on the beach just before it rained.