Mr. and Mrs.

Standing in the receiving line people were telling me:

“This is the BEST wedding I have been to. Thanks!”

“What fun! How did you pull it off?”

“How fun! How did you get the idea?”

I kept telling them it was all Desiree and Nathan with the help of many people. As Father of the Groom, all I had to do was show up.

Then at some point during the receiving line I had an “IF” moment. IF . . . when Nathan was born, someone would have told me he would get married on a baseball field by a farmer from Nebraska – I would have laughed. But, that’s what happened and it was great, absolutely great.

Desiree (a.k.a. DILOR Daughter In Law Of Ralph) deserves a lot of credit. She was the brainchild as well as the slave labor behind the event. The detail she went to was amazing. Nathan (SOR – Son Of Ralph) played a key role too.

Okay, let’s replay a few events here.

Tony (a.k.a. Bubba) and I were co-best men. It was our responsibility to arrange the bachelor party. The motto for the party was, ‘If it can’t be done by a nine year old it isn’t going to happen’

We decide on a Bachelor golf outing. The day before the wedding, eight of us met at the golf course and played nine holes. Others who weren’t able to go golfing joined us at the clubhouse for lunch where we proceeded to tell “Nathan” stories. It was a lot of fun.

Later that afternoon rehearsal was held at the baseball field. It is a mini-Coors field. The bad news was a heavy thunderstorm had just gone through. A little standing water and mud was not going to stop the rehearsal. Nathan did get a little anxious when I asked him how many umbrellas could he get for $500

After rehearsal, we all enjoyed a taco bar dinner that Marilyn and her mother, Maddie, had prepared. They really went to a lot of effort preparing tacos, burritos, and taco salad with all the fixings. The bride to be was nervous - she knew within twenty-four hours I would be her Father in Law, yet she managed to eat a little.

The next day as people entered All Star Park for the wedding, they were given a program and a foam finger that had Nathan and Desiree’s name along with the wedding date. They then took a seat in the stands. Some good friends were playing music over the loud speakers and bottled water was handed out.

Down in the dug out the groomsmen were helping Nathan as last minute jitters kicked in. I’m just glad I wasn’t the one that had to kiss him in a few minutes.

As the ceremony started, Cliff, or as we call him Father Cliff, left the dug out and headed to home plate where the ceremony was to be performed. Cliff was wearing an umpire’s uniform. When he got to home plate, he stopped, took out a pocket broom, bent down, and swept it off. Judging by the applause and cheers, the crowd loved it.

In Colorado, couples can perform their own marriage ceremony and have whomever they want officiate the service. Nathan and Desiree asked Cliff. They could not have picked a better person to officiate.

The wedding party gathered around home plate and Bubba threw the first pitch to Father Cliff. Again, the crowd loved it. During the ceremony, the bride and groom were getting a little emotional and misty eyed. Cliff moved away from the microphone, staying just close enough for it to pick up his voice and said, “There’s no crying in baseball.” The crowd responded with laughter, clapping, and cheers.

The ceremony was done and the receiving line was formed. That’s where I heard the comments above along with how the tuxedo’s with Chuck Taylor All Star Converse shoes was classic. Another one of Desiree’s and Nathan’s ideas which people loved.

Then it was off to the Victorian House for the reception. The reception followed the baseball theme with popcorn, peanuts, corndogs, brats, hamburger, pizza, nachos, and various other types of ballpark food being served.





At the reception, the DJ introduced Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. You might notice the smile on those faces.

The smiles continued through dinner. . .

Through the first dance . . .

Through the cake cutting and the toast. . .

I’m sure the smiles will continue for a long, long time.

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Campbell.