The Next Step

15 miles south of Disneyland, in the heart of Costa Mesa, California, the person I admire most, took the next step in her life.  The Little One said I Do to her best friend.  Beaming with smiles from ear to ear, the stunning bride took the short walk down the aisle, guided by her dad and step dad upon each arm, and led by her mom and step mom.  These people gave the Little One the beginning of her life’s story and as they reached the steps towards the man who would now help write the rest of her story, there were few tears shed.  Most of them were mine.  Guests gathered in the stone floored courtyard of the hotel.  The sparkling fountain, surrounded in fresh, seasonal potted flowers, and an arch at the top of the steps to the fountain was where the groom awaited his bride.  Friday, 4pm, was a sunny mid-afternoon, and, while lacking a breeze, it just the right temperature.  As the bride’s hands meet to her fiancé’s, it is visible how deep their love runs, how elated they are to be all encompassed by this ceremony, how the justice’s words, having been personalized towards them, touch their hearts, and they make known their intent for happily ever after.  The service is brief, and as every aircraft from nearby John Wayne airport, interrupts, the guests laugh.  Old friends and family meet new on each side.  Everyone is welcoming.  We all cram in for one large portrait before the guests are ushered away to enjoy drinks, dancing, snacks, and mingling, while the family and bridal party are held behind for countless photos.  I gave a traditional Harpo Marx pose with the bride, and bunny ears for dad.  The happy couple requested a tech-free ceremony.  None of the professional photos of the service will have those obnoxious and distracting phones, tablets, or cameras in them.  We were all 100% engaged in the moment and it was perfect.

At the end of the cocktail hour, the bridal party was introduced to waiting guests like star athletes, with Mr. and Mrs. at the tail, seamlessly dropping into their first dance together.  Immediately following, the doors opened to reveal the hotel pool area, having been transformed into a nautical themed reception.  The pool was blocked off by a standing fishing net.  Weaved throughout it, photos of the newlyweds gave an entire history lesson of each of them and their lives up until this very moment.  A memorial table was set up to honor those who were no longer around to share in this special day.  In another location was a table with many silly props that encouraged guests to use in photo booth fashion.  Dinner was served, speeches were made with champagne toasts, games were played, and then the cake was cut.  As the cake was passed out, coffee was offered but I had left the table so when I returned, I saw my seatmates with steaming cups of coffee, and quickly found the girl with the coffee pot.  The coffee met with the cookies and cream cake as those this was the marriage we were here to celebrate.  Neither too rich on its own or with each other.  A second round of cake was passed around shortly after.  This time is was a lemon mango tier.  It was incredibly delicious, but not quite the coffee match as the first offering.  I only ate a few bites of each while I tried to sip my coffee.  I was whisked away from my table, never to finish my single cup of coffee.  Too many people to chat with, pictures to take, and a dance floor starring my young nephew breakdancing that I had to be a part of. 

As the evening came to a close, many shoes were removed due to pain, ties undone while the beer count increased, and karaoke style ballads were sung to the Disney loving audience that was left to hear its unique, whiskey influenced versions.  I said goodnight to the newly officiated couple and went home.  As the two return home, The Little One continues to take new steps.  She finished school and now will be starting a career in the field she got her degree in.  They have moved to a new state and into a huge new apartment.  All of these new steps will now be taken with her husband, who is a wonderful guy that I am thrilled to call family.  I remember her taking her first steps, in life, after each struggle life threw in her direction, and now the steps that continue her path into the future.  The Little One makes me pour over with pride, excitement, and inspiration.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.