The little ring bearer...or not

Thomas attended his first wedding this weekend.  He was actually in the wedding as the ring bearer.  Trey's cousin, Patrick, married his long-time love, Dana, in a beautiful ceremony.  And while Thomas looked mighty cute, he was a bit nervous about his duties:


The flower girl had to call in sick, but another cousin (a seasoned professional at being a flower girl) graciously agreed to fill in.  We thought it was perfect because he adores this particular little girl (Mary D) and we figured if there was any chance he'd walk down the aisle, it would be with her.  (This was after he was not so willing to participate at the rehearsal).  He said he would do it.  He was excited about doing it.


And then he started to get tired.  He told me he wasn't going to do it, but I held out hope that he would.  As soon as I left him with Mary D and the bridesmaids (sounds like a band), he started crying.  I tried to console and encourage him, but he didn't want me to leave.  I finally managed to get him to agree to walk.  He took a few steps down the aisle with Mary D, then realized I was no longer behind him (i had rushed to get around the other side so I could be there for him at the front), he started crying for his Mommy.  We quickly abandoned the mission and we found a nice quiet spot on the far side of the church and enjoyed watching the beautiful ceremony from there.
 

Toward the end he said he wanted to go stand with Mary D and walk out of the church with her.  I told him he didn't have to, but if he wanted to, that was fine.   He eventually worked his way to the front and mulled around with the bridesmaids and Mary D, but when it was time to walk down the aisle, he slowly (and somewhat fighting back tears) found his way back to me.  Oh well.  Better luck next time.

It's a good thing the wedding wasn't about Thomas.  And the people who were at the center of it, Patrick and Dana, did everything they were supposed to do perfectly.  And now they are happily married, and that's what matters most.  So congrats to Dana and Patrick! 

At the reception Thomas was ready to kick up his heels.  He ran around and around and around that room.  Oh to have the energy of a three-year old!


He took off the jacket as we left the church and asked me to take off the vest as we arrived at the reception.  Whatever, I said....he's three.  :)


He couldn't wait for a piece of cake.  I thought it was so funny that as the newlywed couple went to cut the cake...guess who was right there watching up close?


Funny.

Thank you to Dana and Patrick for allowing Thomas to be a part of your special day.  May your lives be filled with love and laughter.  And I also must send out a huge thank you to Mary Reames and Mary Sue for coming up and watching Parker Friday evening and Saturday.  You guys are the best. I love Parker dearly, but he is just not at a stage in his life where he can appreciate these events. So I was very thankful I was able to enjoy everything and know that Parker was happily somewhere else!