I couldn't help myself; I had to smile. "Thank you," I said as I gave him a hug. I couldn't help but think it was a good choice. It answered my need for a challenge outside the house and it married us to the community. We left for a celebration of fried clams. What was one more life-changing occurrence in the continuing saga of Sarah Blanding North?
We married in a small ceremony on a mid-June Sunday six weeks after our Vermont weekend; barely three months since our first meeting. Nervous Thatcher Wright was Paul's best man and my sister Suzie was my maid of honor, with Karen at her side. Timmy carried a ring on a satin pillow. A boisterous reception followed in an elegant local restaurant. Suzie and husband Ben stayed at our now furnished house with my niece Maureen Loretto and her husband Jack. Infant daughter Claire, born two weeks earlier, was a hit with everyone. Her twin brothers soon made friends with Timmy. Mike and his wife Martha, at whose wedding I'd first met Paul, flew in from the west coast, much to my surprise and delight. While Paul feigned innocence, I'm sure he was responsible for the quick trip. All of Paul's business associates attended together with two college friends. His only family was his parents. They were now living in Paris and didn't attend. A brother, nine year's Paul's senior, drowned when Paul was eight.
Paul announced his marriage intentions to his parents by phone, but not in my presence. He was neither surprised nor disappointed when they declined. His father was not in good health, according to his mother.
"He's drinking his martinis out of a sippy cup, according to my mother," Paul said. After telling his parents he'd moved, he asked their feelings about the Newton homestead. They told him to dispose of it as he saw fit; they had no intention of returning to the United States, perhaps ever. They sent a check Paul didn't bother to show me together with their regrets.
There was one very special wedding guest; my mother. I cried with delight when I saw her. Paul had arranged with Suzie to have a specially equipped limo and medical attendant transport her from Connecticut. She was dressed in a beautiful outfit and smiled at everyone during the service. Karen doted on her during the reception but she never said a word to anyone the entire day so we never knew if she understood what was happening or who these happy people were. Nevertheless, I was thrilled by her presence and saddened when she returned to her facility in Connecticut.