A New Chapter

I have begun a new chapter in my life. A move to England to be with Sarah and James. A baby boy on the way to add to our family. But what good would the story be without a few twists and turns.

Monday - 12/27/2010
After a long ordeal - delayed flight from London that was diverted to Toronto - Sarah and James made it to Boston at 6:30 p.m. We drove straight back - minus the requisite stop for pizza - to Northampton. James, uncharacteristically, fell asleep on the car ride home. He, too, has entered a new phase of his life.

The delayed flight caused a problem with our impeccable timing. You see, we were planning to get married on New Year's Eve. There is a three day waiting period for a marriage license.
Yesterday, I had spoken to the head of the probate court in Northampton. Luckily, I knew him from school work and work with the Survival Center. He told us to appear at the district court today at 8:15 a.m., when we would be placed at the front of the day's docket. All went according to plan and we received our marriage certificate.

We spent the next two days getting the last details in place for the wedding. I still had to propose to Sarah since we had not been together for two weeks. Then we had to get wedding bands (as in rings, not music).

Thursday - 12/30/10
The wedding guests - my father and Lenore, Harvey and Rebecca, and Andy and Nancy - arrived after travails with travel. We had a nice dinner at Green Street Cafe. James, in now characteristic fashion, fell asleep with his head in Sarah's lap. My father, who had doubted that he would see my wedding day, basked in happiness. Near the end of the meal, he got up from the table and wandered off to an adjacent room in the restaurant. We could see him talking to successive tables of patrons. Then, like a bandleader, he led the group in "Happy Marriage", sung to the tune of Happy Birthday. A few voices harmonized, as happens when you get a critical mass of able people. It was so sweet that we hardly needed dessert. (James sleepily picking his nose also put us off desert.)

Friday - 12/31/10
New Year's Eve and our wedding day. James, our ring bearer, looked smart in his suit and white rose boutonniere. And no burping or nose picking on this special day. He had to serve as unofficial wedding photographer.

Jitters for Sarah. Her nerves kicked in at about 4 a.m. Cold hands on the way to the wedding at The Blue Heron in Sunderland. The ceremony was held in front of the fireplace. A heartfelt exchange of vows. My brother, Andy, capturing the moment on his blackberry to send it to the rest of the family. We recessed to a private room upstairs for a delicious meal. Joyful toasts tinged with tears abounded from Rebecca (representing the UK contingent), Andy, Harvey, James, Sarah and me.

James's toast:
Lovely Chippie
Thank you for making me laugh.
Thank you for playing with me.
Thank you for being a friend.
I am so glad to have you as my stepfather.

Now I just need to get back to England to actually begin the new chapter.