Mr. and Mrs. Silvester

Yes! We did it. Got our daughter Rachel married off. While no wedding pics are available as of yet, here's one of Rachel and James taken at Thanksgiving.

The wedding was beautiful. For those of you unable to attend yet craving details, I offer the following. The high ceiling, lovely old church was lit with vanilla scented candles, decorated with an assortment of deep purple flowers and greenery. Five bridesmaids (one of them 8 1/2 months pregnant!) were dressed in antique gold, floor length gowns. The groomsmen and the groom wore black tuxedos. Sarah and Elisabeth, nine year-old identical twin cousins of Rachel, announced her arrival by coming down the aisle ringing bells and telling everyone "the bride is coming! The bride is coming!"

And then she did. Pretty in a simple, strapless, ivory lace dress, her hair soft, loosely curled and uncovered, Rachel teared up as she came down the aisle on her dad's arm. When asked who gave the bride to be married, he choked on the words, "her mother and I" and the cloud of witnesses let out a collective, soft, sympathetic sigh.

The vows were short and sweet (someone said the ceremony took only 12 minutes) then the party began. Under bright sunshine, Rachel and James were taken by a white carriage to the site of the reception, an old Victorian B &B one block away, while the rest of us trailed behind on foot.

The reception site was crowded, but the cake (white brides cake, turtle cheesecake for the groom) and punch were delicious, the conversation lively, and the mood full of joy. We watched while Rachel threw her bouquet and while James tossed her garter, then we flung birdseed on the pair as they raced to their car.

I think it was about as perfect as a wedding could be.

Through the entire wedding weekend, I felt our family showered with kindness and generosity and bathed in love. So many people helped in so many ways.

I'll always be grateful.

Will always remember.

But for now, will take a nice nap.