Fifty years ago today our family was one week from the wedding of my big sis. Her name was Sheryl Ann. I always called her Sam as her initials spelled it out. When I first started calling her that she really didn’t like it very much. There were times I irritated her and she would snap back at me, Nanny Goat. That never really stuck which I was very happy about. But here Sam was all grown up and about to get married.
It wasn’t really a surprise she and Lee were going to get married. Jeepers he had been hitchhiking to Lime Springs from Cedar Falls for what seemed like forever but was probably just a couple years. I didn’t think too much about his coming when it was first happening but then it became pretty regular. Sam always had to move her things into my room so Lee could use her room. I’ve always wondered if they knew Mom and Dad asked me to keep the door to my room ajar if I went to bed first. I did and they used to sit in the hallway and whisper so I could not hear what was being said when they were supposed to be in their respective beds asleep. It wasn’t worth it to stay awake so I didn’t.
The weekend routine would be the same. Lee would get to Davis Corners on Friday and Sheryl would take the family car to pick him up. Mom would have her favorite tuna and noodle casserole ready for dinner. Saturday someone would find jobs for Lee to do. He got to do a lot of touch up painting. I don’t know that he had to mow the lawn but I am pretty sure he washed some windows. Most of this weekend visiting was during the summer as Sam was in Cedar Falls the rest of the year and then moved on to her teaching job.
I guess I just thought we would always stay young and nothing would change. So the day Sam put out her left hand with the diamond on it was a real jolt. It was a very pretty sparkling ring and she was so happy. Now came the plans. Mom was an organizer down to every last detail. She let all her friends know Sam was engaged and it wasn’t long before all kinds of things were underway. The day Sam tried on the wedding gowns at Daytons, I think I cried a little. She looked just beautiful and she was going to be a bride! Cake, showers, mints, invitations, flowers, new clothes – you name it, the lists were growing. And one day it hit me over the head, I was going to be in the bridal party. Margaret Atzen was hired to make my dress and the fittings began.
The day of the wedding is almost a blur. Relatives were coming from near and far. I don’t recall seeing any of them until the reception. That walk down the aisle was a long one. As the chords to the familiar wedding march began I dared to look up. My Dad was so happy to have Sam on his arm. He was always one to weep fairly easily and he did that day also. I had to stop looking. And so it was that Sam and Lee were married. It seems like just a short time ago.
I’m still the little sis and it has been just as fun in that role these past 50 years.