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The Perfect Picture

3/14/2016

19 Comments

 
My sister is in sobby tears. Thunder booms, lightning scratches the sky, the rain comes.  It is morning, and I assure her that by afternoon the sunshine will be bright and dry the grass. It is not always a good idea to have a backyard wedding. Diane has waited for this day for a long, long time. She is forty-seven. She looks gorgeous with her hair in a French braid and Baby’s Breath flowers delicately tucked into the braid here and there. “Go get ready. Wash your face and start to get dressed.  Then Elaine will do you makeup.”  She nods and disappears inside the house. 
         
Sure enough, the rain stops and the sun comes out before the guests start to arrive.  A string quartet is playing in the gazebo decorated with ivy and roses.  It is time for pictures of the wedding party at Valley Forge Park, just ten minutes from Diane and Willie’s home.  We are all laughing and talking and drinking champagne. Time passes quickly.

We pile out of the limousine slowly and start to climb the hill towards the monument. It is not an easy thing to do on this particularly hot and humid September afternoon – especially if you are wearing a gown, nylon stockings, and high-heeled shoes.  For a fleeting moment I find myself wishing that I had gone to the Ship Bottom beach more often to tan my legs. Then I could have skipped the stockings.

Suddenly, my brother-in-law-to-be cries out, “A double rainbow! Run!” We all turn around and follow him like a cavalry charge up a small hill in the opposite direction. When we get there, the photographer arranges the bridesmaids, ushers, bride, and groom. The double rainbow arches gracefully in the sky behind us. We try not to pant or sweat or look tired. We smile big smiles as he snaps the perfect picture.
 


Picture
19 Comments
Margaret Simon link
3/14/2016 03:36:20 am

I am a believer of rainbows. How amazing that one appeared for your sister's long awaited wedding!

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 04:10:02 am

Yes, I thought so, too. I am not very superstitious, but I do believe in signs. It was truly amazing and oh-so-perfect!

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Fran link
3/14/2016 03:55:10 am

Wow! A double rainbow . . . a harbinger of heart's desire! A perfect symbol for your sister's wedding after just a bit of weather drama!

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 04:11:51 am

Thanks for your response, Fran. I will never forget the wedding or the weather on that day. Drama, drama, drama!

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Clare link
3/14/2016 04:50:55 am

I love the pace of this piece and I loved that you made my laugh half way up the hill - I think I would have just ripped the stockings off! Now I want a photo.....
Your post inspired two seed ideas for me today. Thank you
Clare

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 05:27:23 am

Thanks, Clare. I have to remember to ask Diane and Willie for this photo. It turned out to be a great day, even though the day was pretty hot and steamy!

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Adrienne
3/14/2016 05:29:18 am

Tears to laughter. What a great piece.

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 05:31:55 am

Thanks, Adrienne. That about sums up that entire day - tears to laughter!

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Tara Smith link
3/14/2016 06:25:15 am

Rainbows and happiness just go together, don't they?

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 06:30:25 am

Yes, they do, Tara! I am thrilled each time I see a rainbow. It's something to look forward to, and the experience never grows old!

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arjeha link
3/14/2016 07:16:38 am

I can just imagine how beautiful that picture turned out to be. Hope to see you at PCTEAL meeting in April, Lynne.

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 08:35:49 am

Thanks for responding. I am not sure about the PCTELA meeting - house guests, birthday dinner for my sister-in-law, and Beautiful, the Carole King musical in Philadelphia that Saturday!

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Lisa Keeler link
3/14/2016 10:15:41 am

What a happy ending to the story of the beginning of this marriage. I love your word choice "lightning scratches the sky."

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 02:06:38 pm

Thanks, Lisa. I enjoy writing descriptions of weather. Have you ever read The Shipping News? Incredible descriptions of New Foundland's weather!

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Rose
3/14/2016 11:32:59 am

Rainbows are so magical, and I hear they are a sign of luck, so it is great to have them appear on a wedding day!

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 02:08:42 pm

Thanks for the comment, Rosie. So a double rainbow must be double the amount of luck!

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Shelly
3/14/2016 04:04:09 pm

What a perfect day it ended up being for your sister's special day!

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lynne dorfman link
3/14/2016 05:15:04 pm

Shelly, thank goodness because that morning while it was pouring down rain, my sister cried so hard her eyes were all puffy and her cheeks were red. Everyone had worked so hard - my brother-in-law had even built a huge dance floor!

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Donna Smith link
3/14/2016 07:11:21 pm

That sounds like the most perfect day! A day worth waiting for!

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    Lynne loves to write in the early morning hours, especially in warm weather when she can sit outside on the patio.  After a walk with her three Welsh Corgis, her mind is cleared and her spirit is inspired by the choir of birds in nearby bushes and trrees. 

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