Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day to you and Jared! Labor Day has traditionally meant, for me, the end of summer and the beginning of football! What does it mean to you? I do not remember a Labor Day without football practice until 1982! We always had practice, typically multiple sessions. Your mom's birthday always conflicted with practice. We always celebrated it, but often it was late at night and often ended with me falling asleep at the restaurant table. So I have always found Labor Day as a work day not a holiday. Since 1982 our Labor Days have been football practice "free". I hope that when we get back East we can begin a new tradition to end the summer! If we all were in Ohio perhaps we could have a poolside barbecue! For now I will have to settle for a beer with Mom, poolside. Still pretty nice!

Happy Birthday Jane and Emma!

Two of the most important women in the wedding share birthdays today. Jane, the Mother of the Bride, is shown below at birthday brunch today at Brio.

And Emma Jane Joyce, the flower girl, and your niece/goddaughter, with Peppa Pig Birthday cake on her lips and thumb, showing off her new age of 5!

They, with you and Allison make up the women in my life! I am so blessed. Emma whose middle name, Jane, is after her Grandma, have been birthday buddies since the day she was born! (Jane and I were at the hospital for her birth.) Here is a picture of the first birthday celebration!

I know they both are so excited for your wedding! Jane has been doing projects all spring and summer! Thank you for involving her/us! It really makes us feel apart of this important moment in your and Jared's lives! Less than 2 weeks to go now! Oh boy!

4 years and 2 weeks!

Four years ago you and Jared had your first date in NYC at Pepolino's Restaurant. Every year you have gone back to celebrate! This first picture is from 2014.

The next one is from this year! You will notice the big rock on your finger!

In case you are wondering, the 2 weeks in the title refers to the fact, that 2 weeks from now, we will be celebrating your wedding on Block Island! I cannot wait! But it is coming fast and will be here before we know it. I know you both are going to a wedding tomorrow. Enjoy! The next one is yours!

"Bridemares!"

You know it must be getting close to the wedding when the "Bridemares" start. Actually today is just two weeks from the rehearsal dinner! That is a big YIKES!! You have told me of two bridemares, one of which I actually share with you. The first one revolves around the father-daughter dance to Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al." 4 minutes and 40 seconds!!!! (I checked!) Holy moly! That is a long time! In your version of the dream you keep telling the band to "abbreviate". I guess to no results! My version is quite vivid! I'm out there with no rhythm, no balance and no clue! But regardless it will be a very special moment. I just hope the band heeds your request to abbreviate! The second bridemare you mentioned involved logistics and when to do the welcome speech. I have no problem giving that speech wherever/whenever you believe is best! Just two weeks to go! Sweet Dreams! It could be worse! "Diamonds on her Shoes" is 5 minutes and 50 seconds long!

A Fashion Tip from the Father of the Bride?

I know this must sound strange but I actually have a suggestion for those wearing boat/deck shoes. I just received, from Zappos, my deck shoes for the rehearsal dinner. They are traditional Sperry Topsiders, oatmeal in color with the traditional white non-marking soles. But they also have the traditional leather laces, which are a problem, always coming undone!

My new shoes I have tied in a new way! 1. Reverse each lace end through the top eyelet. 2. Tie a knot right behind the top eyelets with each end. 3 Using a hanger thread the extra lace in the pocket on each side of the shoe. Voila! You have a neat boat shoe tie that won't come untied!

There you have it. Who would have believed it? A fashion tip from the Father of the Bride!

Surprise Bridal Shower!

Today you were surprised by your co-workers, at Ross, with a surprise bridal shower! Look at the detail in the decorations! They really know you: Gold and white table cloth , the striped straws, the copper pots, the white flowers and the scalloped ribbon under the table!

The ruse was a meeting! Look at you and your papers. You were clearly expecting a meeting!

Another view of the spread! I guess you were really surprised!

Another special moment in your journey to Block Island and better yet, an unexpected one!

Holidays and Family!

A wonderful thing about our family is that even though we are living apart geographically we still manage to remain close and get together for holidays. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! You know, "food family and football." The last years have been the hardest to get together! But there never was a year that you, Allison Mom and I were not together either Christmas or Thanksgiving. That means you, Allison, Mom and I have enjoyed either Christmas and/ or Thanksgiving together for 32 years straight (I'm counting last year's day after Christmas with Allison as Christmas). That is quite a record, one I hope we keep extending! Uncle Rich and I have shared either Christmas or Thanksgiving together for over 50 years! Unfortunately last year was the first year we did not see each other for either holiday in a long time. But you and Jared, and Aunt Tiz and Uncle David joined us for Thanksgiving! As your family grows, I hope we can all be together at least one of those special days. What do you think? Is that a good goal? Here are some pictures of those holidays! A Christmas Eve at our house!

A Christmas at Rich and Karen's!

Another Christmas at 1012!

And a wet Thanksgiving at the Macy's Parade in NYC!