Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 31, Wedding Rehearsal

The flower garden is in full bloom. There were Roses, Marigolds, and impatiens and many foliage plants. In the west center of the garden is the statue of Virgin Mary. On the eastern center is a beautiful cross. I will walk up the aisle from the south.

O Riley was the name of the priest that was marrying them. Catherine thinks to herself. I’ve come a long ways. I’m brought up German Lutheran and I’m being married by a catholic priest. My minister from the German Lutheran church will be giving me the hall of the ceremony.

John’s heritage was Italian. The people from Italy knew how to put on a wedding. Everyone was related to someone. The whole town would be invited to the wedding. The women in the family spent days making food, for the wedding dinner. The priest would come and stay overnight at the bride’s family. If they didn’t have room he stayed with the groom’s family. The wine was brought from the local winery. The bride wore the traditional white dress for purity. She had at least five attendants plus the flower girl. The bride’s family usually had three or four brothers. The oldest one would have to keep the younger ones in line. If they got into a fight or other misbehaving, the oldest had permission to discipline them. The boys knew they didn’t dare spoil their sister’s special day. Sometimes e brides brother didn’t think the groom was good enough for their sister. That was just enough of an excuse for the boys to fight with the groom’s family. This would sometimes spill over into the next day.

Catherine was German when you think of Germany you think of beer sausage and heavy dark bread. The people liked to celebrate anything to have a party. Their weddings are more somber. They have to go to the court house, and got married again in church, or the other way around. The men in their lederhosen and the ladies in the dwindle skirts. The bride all in white, and her attendants in colorful dresses. They would have an accordion player, drummer and horn player. They played old Scottish, waltz and polkas. The old traditions linger on. It’s nice to see that is has been kept up. When they had the wedding the bride would be kidnapped and taken to the local bar. The groom has to pay to get her back. He has no money so the groom would ask for a collection of money to get his bride back. The weddings are more family ornate. You would have grandparents and usually an uncle or aunt living with you.

I’m having a traditional wedding. I’m not having a candle lighter. No young children in our families. So I’m having Rita’s cat. She will be flower girl. She has long white fur and beautiful large green eyes. We will have a ring of flowers around her neck. She is about nine years old. She has mellowed out and things don’t bother her. We will put kitty treats down the main aisle. Rita is thrilled to have her “baby” in the wedding.

John’s having his dog as ring bearer. He has had Buster since he was a pup. John had many a day that Buster would ease his troubled mind. He would take off for the groove and spend an entire day with Buster. If you saw one of them you knew that one was close behind. Buster got bitten by a coyote. John’s father was outside to see what was going on and he had his rifle with him. The Coyote didn’t have rabies. Buster was scratched and bitten though. The doctor didn’t know if he could save him. John didn’t eat anything he was heartbroken. He didn’t want Buster to die. They had to have him locked up and away from the other animals. So John was still attached to Buster. He is starting to slow down. He is getting older. Fifteen years is a long time for a dog. With a line-up of that anything could happen.

John’s brother was going to be groom man. Catherine is having her sister as bride’s maid. Her friend Maryann would tell the guest the seating arraignment. East side is brides seating and west side was grooms. John has to talk to his brother again about paying too much attention to Rita. Brother is like that with every girl he likes.

Catherine and Rita are sitting outside on the swing, on the porch on the far.

“Tell me how and what are you doing now a day. We don’t seem to have time like we used to. Remember when we would sit up half the night talking about dating? I told you what to do and what not to do, told you about the birds and the bees. You said you wouldn’t do such things when you grew up. Well did my talk do any good?”

“I’m interested in sports than young men. I’m saving myself for a special man. What about you, you’re not wearing a white dress.” Rita said.

“I just like the cream color better. I’m saving myself for John.” Catherine said.

“I hope you are happy as I am.” Rita said.

“Do you remember our pastor telling us not to do sex before marriage?” Rita asked.

Catherine was baptized by Pastor Paul. They went to Sunday school and every summer we went to libel school and church camp every summer and I would get home sick. We got confirmed when we were thirteen years old, and now I’m getting married by a priest. I don’t know if I want to give up my religion. I’m 31 years old, still celibacy, and I never did any hanky panky.” Catherine said.

“I don’t believe a word of it.” Rita giggled.

“Oh shut up.” Catherine says.

Meanwhile John and Brother are out in the groove talking about themselves. Its such a nice evening. The full would be out tonight.

John and brother were quiet for some time. John was thinking of his life so far. How he had been baptized in the church, Father O’Riley was the priest at that time. He had been a alter boy at twelve years of age. He did that until he was confirmed. They had a youth group for younger members at the church. It was a socializing group. John had his eye on a pretty red headed freckled girl. Sometimes john got to stay in town after school. He would take the little red head to the movies. He had almost forgotten about her. He helped at all the church suppers and was ushering for a few years. Brother didn’t do any of the things John did. He was baptized and confirmed but was busy in sport in school. He was planning to take college classes this fall.

“Are you behaving yourself with the young girls?” John asked.

“Yes I don’t date them kind of girls.” Brother said.

“I like Rita. So that’s a good family, why not? We both like sports.”

“Keep it that way, now we better go for rehearsal. We don’t want to keep anyone waiting.” John said.

“I’ll marry Rita.” Brother said.

“Are you crazy? They would team up against us. Are you going to stay on the farm?” John asked.

“Yes I’m going to take care of mom and dad.” Brother said.

“She’s a city girl she wouldn’t want to be on the farm. You have to look for a farm girl.” Jon said.

“Are you going to introduce me to some girls?” Brother asked.

“Yes.” John said.

“Okay then I’ll leave Rita alone.” Brother said.

“Good, the girls are coming.” John said.

The girls were ready to go to rehearsal. Mom and dad would follow in their car. They were going to have a groom’s dinner after they finished rehearsal. Father O’Rily and Pastor Paul were already at the church. They were discussing Christianity.

“Oh Riley now a day’s young people have a concept of clarity. It’s different, he likes to help people. John is a social worker. My Catherine I suggested she become a physical therapist. Both of them are young and like to serve people.” Pastor Paul said.

“We each have a different interpretation of Christianity, but we are reaching for the same goal. We are interpreting the words of god in different ways. Do you see how happy Catherine is, she almost glows. I hear catholic and Lutheran leaders are planning to work together to unify churches.” O’Riley said.

“Our young people have put us together to assist us to know each other.” Pastor Paul said.

Everyone was in attendance at the rehearsal. Even Buster and Rita’s Cat. Catherine’s mom and dad were there and John’s parents also. They were visiting with each other. Everything went well at rehearsals even the animals did alright.

When they were done they all got in their cars and headed to the restaurant. Catherine’s parents would stay in town at a motel. John and brother would share a bedroom at the farm. Catherine and Rita would have a room to themselves. She was sonly wearing down, so she was going to have a short night out.

Most of the parents at the bridal party had shrimp or fish. It was a very nice dinner. They were all visiting with each other. It was as if they had known each other for years. They all left looking forward to tomorrow.