I'll Always Remember Us This Way...

Vindog9/05/2025 6:00 PM

Previously, Part 14: It Was a Nice Day For A White Wedding...

When I turned and saw Susan and her father start making their way down the aisle, I knew I had made the right decision. She looked incredibly gorgeous and so happy.

A wedding is like a movie the bride and groom co-star in. Everyone wants your time, especially Mr. Berman, the photographer. I hate wearing jackets, and I immediately took off the tux jacket and wore only the vest. Mr. Berman kept making me put down my drink and put on the jacket for photos, which Susan and I took with every table. He was wielding an old-school camera with a loud and bright flash. Two shots per table, in case one didn't work out.

We didn't want a special table for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, so we paired people together who we thought would get along. We sat at a round table with friends.

Irv liked to celebrate by raising a glass, and he extended the open bar for another hour, till 11:00. No one argued; we all just kept drinking. Irv had a few more himself…

Initially, Elvis didn't make the invitation list. It was a small wedding, and Susan and I only got to invite eleven friends each. On the night of the bachelor party, before we went to Thackeray's and were still at Richard's house, Elvis asked me where the bathroom was. I told him, "Walk straight down the hallway, take a left, it's the first door on the left."

He asked again, "Where?" Following directions was never his strong suit.

I repeated the simple directions, but Elvis persuaded me to show him the way. Once we were in the hallway a few feet from the bathroom door, Elvis stopped and asked, "How come I wasn't invited? We've been friends since first grade…"

I explained, "I only had eleven invites, but you're next on the list, El. If anyone can't attend, you're in!" He smiled and started walking back to the party. He didn't need the bathroom.

As it turned out, there was one friend unable to attend, and I called Ellie to let him know he was in. He was at an all-day Latvian festival, a crazy event, but I managed to get hold of him there. He was ecstatic when he heard he was in. I told him Irv said he had to be on his best behavior. Ellie assured me he would be. And he arrived at the wedding looking sharp and behaved himself the entire night.

Not too unlike every other wedding on the planet, there was at least one hookup that we knew of. It took place during the wedding reception, in a car outside the Bell House, and involved two members of the wedding party. I know more, but I'm not a "kiss and tell" kind of guy. But I can tell you this, it was a "one and done"…

The food was great, and everyone danced all night, and when it came time to cut the cake, Susan and I made a mess of each other. Removing Susan's garter belt and her tossing the bouquet went well, too.

The girls from Fisher Jr. College shakin' a leg!

Some of the girls were pretty aggressive trying to catch that bouquet!

It was such a great night! Then, at one point, Susan motioned to me that it was time to change into our "going-away outfits" for our send-off. We both put on dressy, but comfortable clothes for the grand exit. I actually didn't want to leave, but it was time.

We left the Bell House to the sound of loud cheers and applause, and then we jumped in Twiggy's "rent-a-heap" and headed to a hotel in Braintree, where, in the morning, we left for Logan Airport and our honeymoon in Florida…

I remember that night like it was yesterday, and what I remember most is just how beautiful Susan looked…

Happy heavenly birthday, Susan! (9/5/1958) Our LOVE is forever!