After the arrival of SD and family, it was almost 2am before we settled in for the night. Thankfully, we didn’t have to be anywhere until 4pm on Friday. Or so we thought. DH’s phone rang around 3:30am. SS18.

DH: What’s up, son?

SS: Dad, will you come and get me?

DH: ~sitting up abruptly~ Are you okay?

SS: Yeah, but I don’t wanna stay here.

DH: Does your mother know you’re leaving?

SS: She passed out a half hour ago.

DH: Hold on a sec. ~mutes the phone~  Ani…

Ani: Let’s go get him.

DH: You can stay.

Ani: If I drive, you can listen better.

DH: SS, is it okay if Ani drives?

SS: Sure.

DH: We’re leaving in 5. I’ll text you when we’re almost there. And leave your mother a note.

We threw on our clothes, left a note for SD28/BD, and hit the road to get SS (40 minute drive). And all of his gear.

DH: Get in. What’s all that?

SS: It’s all my stuff. Can I ride back home with you?

DH: Ani?

Ani: Of course you can. Get in, hon.

Sorry, but there are gaps here because I was tired and concentrating on driving. The gist of it is that, after rehearsal, SS was subjected to a tirade from the church back to the ‘Ho bungalow. Just SS; not Spawn. When they got back, ‘Ho got into a screechfest with Mr. Pinhead, who verbally licked her boots (my words) until they had “bonked on the porch” (SS's words). SD28 and BD arrived shortly after and you know how that went.  SS was awake (still) during that debacle and heard everything. After they left, ‘Ho threw a few things, then was on the phone with someone for almost 2 hours, pitching a fit (SS thinks she has a boyfriend – gads). SS waited to call DH after he was sure she was out.

SS: I’m not going back there, Dad. I’ll buy a plane ticket home if I have to.

DH: You don’t have to buy a ticket. You’re staying with us and we’ll drive you home.

SS: Thanks, you guys.

DH: No problem.

Ani: You’re welcome.

It was almost 5am when we got back to our place. I updated the note that SS was here. SD/BD took the boys out for breakfast and to the beach so we were able to sleep until 11am. They returned with news that the hotel would let them check in early, so they grabbed their stuff and headed out. SD had to be at the church at 3pm for makeup, so BD and the boys came back to our place. The boys looked adorable in their wedding suits. BD and SS18 were looking good and DH made my mouth water. It was cute that he helped both SS and BD tie their ties. SS decided to ride to the church with BD and the boys, so DH and I had the car to ourselves. Allow me to indulge myself for a minute…

I was SO worried that my dress wouldn’t turn out. I was surprised that it is, hands down, the most beautiful dress I have ever owned. At a stoplight, DH reached over for my hand, looked at me, and said, “Baby, you are simply breathtaking. I’ve never seen you look so beautiful.” This from the man who claims to have zero romantic cells in him darn near made me ruin my freaking mascara.

We get to the church and locate the rest of the party. The MOB (mother of the bride) and her sister were pinning boutonnieres on the men. MOB came to pin on DH and SS21’s and said to SS, “I have the corsage for your mother when she arrives.” 

And this is when I learned that one of the SDs had told SS21 about DH and me and I was now extremely sorry I’d worn that damn mascara because…

SS: The corsage is for Ani. Would you please pin it on her?

Ani: SS…

SS: Ani, without trying, you’ve been a mother to me for years. You’ve always been there for me, for us. Even when we were awful. I know that if things had worked out with you and Dad, you WOULD have been my mother. Would you please do me the honor of being mother of this groom?

It was all I could do to choke out “yes” and not bawl. MOB had tears streaming down her face and DH was pinching the outer corners of his eyes while he squeezed SS’s shoulder. I’m crying now writing this. To have this young man, who turned out so fine despite his horrid mother, ask me that is as great an honor as DH asking me to be his wife.

I didn’t realize this would be so long (and I tried to make it short). Will do my best to finish it up for tomorrow.