When I first heard about couples having to cancel or alter their wedding plans because of COVID-19, I immediately thought of my grandmother’s story. Her wedding plans were also dramatically changed. I asked if she’d be willing to share her story.
For months, I planned the “perfect” traditional June wedding. My grandmother’s long-train, Victorian veil would perfectly match the beautiful ivory gown that was being designed just for me. The picture below gives an idea, but doesn’t really do justice to it. The one being designed for me was incredibly beautiful. I have always liked ivory Victorian lace with burgundy flowers, ribbons, etc. Mine had a beautiful high, high neck with scads of buttons going down the back…sigh.
My future father-in-law was Captain of the S.S. Heredia and had been at sea for the weddings of his two daughters, Beverly and Carol. My fiancé, Chris, and I were overjoyed that his father would be able to be at our wedding. But in January, we got the news that he could come home in March, but not in June. We decided it was important enough to us for him to be there to move the wedding up to March.
The seamstress didn’t have enough time to finish my gown, but said that her daughter loved the design and would be getting married herself soon. So she gave me my deposit back and her daughter wore “my” wedding gown. I ended up wearing an old dress suit.
Because it had been moved up unexpectedly, we had a small wedding. There were only about a dozen signatures in our guest book, including some of Chris’ young nieces and nephews. We never regretted changing our plans. I’ll never forget the smile on Chris’ dad’s face!
a few mementos from our day- March 16, 1964
This coronavirus pandemic has forced couples across the world to postpone, cancel, or change their wedding plans. I hope anybody reading this will take encouragement from one who has had a lifetime of interruptions. Our marriage has been full of them, but through them all the truth of Romans 8:28 has been reinforced over and over again: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (They really DO!)
After 56 years of marriage, 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren we are more in love today than ever.
-Gerry
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