Dancing At Savanna's Wedding

The Wedding As Seen From The Dance Floor

Today, is Savanna's and Ben's first wedding anniversary. I posted this on facebook last year and as a tribute have posted it now as a hub.

My dance with the bride was truly bitter sweet as I realized the little girl I had called "Boogie" all these years had suddenly as if by some spell of magic conjured by a wicked wizard been transformed into a beautiful princess named forevermore Savanna McCoy. If I had been able to pick my own mate for her, I'm certain I couldn't have chosen better. Ben McCoy and his family are very solid stock and I know that she is safe in their love.

At first, it felt a bit awkward being there without a companion, without a mate of my own. After failing at three marriages, you'd think I'd be used to that feeling. I had but one moment of fighting back tears. It came as I dance with Savanna and Megan's mother, Terry. As we nervously held each other in front of all the cameras and slow danced. I said, "You are the second prettiest woman here tonight" and to me (with the possible exception of Ben's mom who is also quite beautiful) it was the pure truth. I was struck by the job this woman had done raising our daughters and while busting my balls every inch of the way and it had somehow changed her too. She said, " I can't believe I'm 50 years old, Chuck I've grown up." Over the last 13 years, she has been, in the words of Casteneda " a very worthy opponent ".

My dance with Megan was filled with the joy of still having a little girl. Though she herself has become a force to be reckoned with as a young woman as her live in beau Dillon Boise is learning on a daily basis. As the maid of honor, she delivered a heart felt toast for Savanna and Ben. Again, I was slapped in the face by the maturity of my youngest.

I did not have the opportunity to dance with my oldest daughter, Katie this night. Katie's daughter, Hailey had been a flower girl and is a handful as one can only imagine and then multiply by 10. We exchanged hugs and our relationship is as solid as it could possibly be. But, we missed our dance.

I also missed my dance with the mother of the groom, Dana. With the current tragedy in her immediate family (her niece had ODed and died on Wednesday morning) it was understandable that the McCoy family hung very close together and the opportunity just never really presented itself. I was so amazed at the strength it showed for them to put aside their grief for a time and allow Ben and Savanna their joy. It made me realize that they are the kind of people that should I no longer exist would keep Savanna safe and showered in love.

My mother, Alene asked me if I would mind dancing with her during a very slow song. To be honest, I never dreamed she'd want to dance. Her legs are not what they once were. In fact most days, she has trouble navigating the house she has lived in for 43 years. When I was about ten years old, she taught me to dance. I mentioned that this was probably the first time that we had danced together.since that day over 45 years ago. I held her with a very firm grip and moved slowly should she falter. The cameras were blinding for this "mother son reunion". My thoughts at the moment were bitter sweet remembrances of her guidance and love throughout the years. Katie, Savanna and Megan are well into their lives' journey and my mother is nearing the end of hers.

As this magical night continued, fatigue had taken its toll on my parents. They had arrived at 6:15 pm with my sister, Jenn and her husband, Ken. It was now about 9:20pm. Jenn, Ken and young son Bryce had made the trip down from Michigan where Ken is an executive for GM and were thoroughly enjoying themselves on the dance floor. When the disco music played, Jenn and Ken took the other dancers to school. I decided to take the folks home. So Jenn and Ken could stay and enjoy themselves.

About an hour later, we were home. I was going to go downtown to my favorite local night spot, the Lucky Star for a Guinness, but instead sat in the living room with my parents listening to their observations on what had transpired during the evening. I smiled and thought it kind of funny that I should retire to bed before either of them.

Yes, I had danced at Savanna's wedding.