Flashback Friday — On Wedded Bliss

Flashback 25 years ago this week, to the wedding of my friend Jacquie and her husband Raymond.

Jacquie and me the day of her wedding in 1988. We’ve had many adventures, before and since. Looking at this photo, you can see why we are often mistaken for sisters — a mistake I not-so-secretly cherish! And, no, we are NOT discussing my hair.

It was a memorable day. And not just because the groom’s brother thought it would be a good idea to leap from the motel roof into the pool to celebrate after the rehearsal dinner (his trick went off without a hitch, thank God).

Or because it was so hot in church the bride nearly fainted at the altar and the priest had to rush to open doors for a cross breeze.

Or because someone’s spike heel the landed atop my right foot on the dance floor at the reception, rendering me briefly speechless and finally understanding the phrase “seeing stars.”

No. Much as with life itself, those glitches were just small bumps in the road. The day was wonderful and launched countless other terrific memories — for Jacquie and Ray, naturally, and us, too, as we have been fortunate that they’ve tolerated our friendship all this time.

Today they have three beautiful children, the eldest of whom graduated from college a few weeks ago. And they remain crazy and fun-loving as ever. (I’ve been taking notes all this time trying to be more like them, to no avail!)

So congratulations to Jacquie and Ray; may there be many, many more amazing years together.

To celebrate, I will eat a sleeve of Oreos. Jacquie knows why.