Step 14,787

Years ago, a friend asked if I would carry a pedometer and record the number of steps I walked. Our agency was in a competition with another agency about who walked the most. Since she was a good friend, I agreed to do so. I don’t remember who won. But I do remember two things. First, it soon become a habit to carry that pedometer and I still do to this day. Secondly, most of the steps we take on any given day are pretty common and uneventful. But, occasionally there is a step that is life changing. This is the story of one of those steps. The story of step 14,787.

The day started out hot and dry just like any other day during the past five weeks. Around eleven o’clock in the morning the clouds started to build up. This had happen before so no one got excited. The clouds usually just blew over. But not today. At around 4:45 they just opened up and we received heavy, heavy rain. Normally this would not be a big deal but this was DOR ‘s (Daughter of Ralph) and SILOR's (Son in Law of Ralph’s) WEDDING DAY.

Fortunately, at around 5:30 the rain stopped and things began to dry out. They could still have the outdoor wedding they wanted.

Here are some the events leading up to, during, and after step 14,787.

Here is a picture of the bride and Char getting ready for the big day. The brides maids were helping as well. This picture is priceless, at least to me, as it shows a special moment between mother and daughter.

The bride is ready.

The groom looks a little nervous. He should be – in a matter of minutes I will officially be his Father in Law.

The Mother of the Bride enters on the arm of a groom’s man – who also happens to be her son.

The bride makes her entrance. Don’t let the smiles fool you. The bride was ready. The father is a nervous wreck.

Then there is the life changing steps I was talking about. This is step 14,787. This is the exact moment Char and I officially gave Tiffany to Jason to become his wife

Tiffany and Jason moments after becoming husband and wife

The happy couple enjoying their first meal together as husband and wife. There was no pretense at the wedding, the reception, and even the food that was served – it was just so Tiffany and Jason.

These two kids spent the summer with Char and I. Yet, this is the biggest smile we had seen on either one of their faces.

The first dance by the bride and groom.

Tiffany and Jason are laying out a strategy to cut the cake.

Here are some of the groom’s man having a good time at the wedding. These guys were great. They were a lot of fun to have around and all of them told us that Tiffany and Jason really belong to one another.

Speaking of dancing there was a lot of it. I danced more this day than I have in the last 50 years. I don’t dance, but I did today. Here Tiffany and I are doing the father-daughter dance.

Don’t be deceived by this picture – she is not reaching for my wallet.

I even tried to do the twist with Jason.

While it might appear that Char and these ladies were excited to the have the wedding over – they are actually doing the YMCA dance.

I’m not sure what Cliff and I were laughing about – it might have been the fact that this was the first time I saw him when he wasn’t cooking. We had many friends who helped throughout the wedding and we truly appreciate all of them and their help. Cliff and Marilyn were there and did whatever needed to be done while having a calming affect on Char and I.

The wedding is over, the reception is done, the dancing is finished, and Tiffany and Jason walk through the bubbles to get to the limo.

And so ends the story of step 14,787.