Wedding Journal
Brian and Libby’s Wedding JournalPre-Wedding Retreat – Duncan’s Cove, NS -- May 29 – June 1, 2007
Duncan’s Cove is located near Sambro, NS which is about 30 km south and west of Halifax. It is one of many coves or inlets along the south shore of Nova Scotia. On May 29 (after Libby’s final teaching commitments), we packed up the Toyota in New Glasgow and headed for Duncan’s Cove where Tom and Bev Grove had graciously loaned us the use of their cottage which they affectionately call The Barn. This rustic cottage is located only a few feet from water’s edge. Tom explains that during Hurricane Juan, the front deck was ripped off. It was never repaired and the door to the deck has been bolted shut. On the main floor are a kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom. On the upper level is a sizeable bedroom complete with skylights. The living room features hardwood flooring, piano, loft and even a swing. A small table next to the large window in this room gives a perfect view of the cove.In this truly romantic setting, we were able to set our cares aside and relax. We took advantage of the near perfect weather to explore the nearby walking trails. On May 30 and 31, we attended sessions of the Alexander Technique given by Tasha Miller and David Langstroth. While Libby has been taking these lessons for about two years, it was a unique experience for Brian. After the second Alexander session, we drove to nearby Crystal Crescent Beach for a picnic. We explored the beach and the nearby well groomed trails, enjoying long views over the Atlantic and close views of emerging wild violets. It was warm enough for a daring soul to bare nearly all on the beach, the sands of which really live up to their name. There was a peculiar mist arising from the water as the breakers hit the beach which we figured was caused by the cold water hitting the warm sand.We prepared some great meals, continuing to enjoy the sharing of tasks and conversation in the kitchen which has been one of the treasures of our relationship.We were joined on our trip from New Glasgow to Fredericton on June 2nd by Mary Fraser. We stopped at Greenwood Cemetery in Shediac, N.B., for Libby to check out the growth of the oak tree planted beside the grave stone recording the passing of her late husband, Rev. Peter D. Fraser. Then after being treated to lunch, the next stop was in Riverview to spend an hour with Libby’s (step-)uncle Ernie Ross.
Preparations at Western White House – Fredericton, NB – June 2 – 8, 2007
We started right away with Brian mowing the front lawn at Gloucester Cresc., while Libby unpacked all her wedding finery. Sunday, June 3rd saw as at Forest Hill United Church early as Libby was to play the violin and both of us were greeting and ushering.From there on till Thursday was work, work, work. We made lists of what needed to be accomplished everyday – a good idea for anyone, but essential for the two of us, in our sixties, with an almost overwhelming mountain of stuff to do! And we did just fine. Brenda joined us on Wednesday afternoon to help get the three guest rooms ready; but we’d already managed, just the two of us, to move two big easy chairs from the living room to the garage, to de-clutter the basement, ready to be turned into an auxiliary dining area (for the Sunday night dinner); to return the dining room and kitchen areas into elegant spaces after the chaos of the renovations (which took two months but which were well worth the time and cost); to visit the lawyer to wrap up our pre-nuptial agreement – and we managed a visit to the federal government offices to make arrangements for the change in status to our pensions!
Family Arrivals – Wednesday June 6 – Saturday June 9
The excitement of the various family members arriving started on Wednesday – our wedding proved to be a great excuse for family reunions! Betty (Slifer – Brian’s step-sister) flew in from Boise, Idaho, arriving late Wednesday night – minus her suitcase. Her first comment was that Stan (Brian’s Dad) had taught her well and she had all she needed in her carryon baggage. We had no trouble getting her in to St. Anne’s Court where her mother, Elsie, is a resident: both she and Brian had alerted them to her late arrival.Bruce (Brian’s eldest brother), wife Allison and daughter Kailas (ten years old) flew in from Toronto on Thursday afternoon, bringing warm hugs and a bunch of peonies and some lemon verbena. We drove in along the river through Lincoln so Bruce could show his family where he and Brian grew up. We stopped for photos causing a young man, Dominic, to become curious: he is the current owner of the hundred-year-old house (at one time this was the location of the radio station CFNB for which Stan was the chief engineer).He was really interested in the connection and pointed the brothers in the direction of Mme. Bourque’s home. As luck would have it, she was home, a diminutive woman in her nineties, and, with a little prompting, she remembered Bruce and Brian. Neat! The Bourques were boyhood friends of Brian and his brothers Peter and Bruce. Peter and his wife Gwen, who live in Brentwood Tennessee, could not attend our wedding due to Gwen’s recent illness.Bruce, Allie, and Kailas seemed to easily move into a comfortable compatibility with us, working around the kitchen duties and musical preparations with ease. Bruce brought with him his EVI – Electronic valve instrument – and Libby was really keen to try some duets with him, on her violin. We enjoyed working through a range of tunes, from Handel’s “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” to some improvised jigs to some Scottish slow airs. The blending of the two instruments was sweet-sounding and each player was stretching outside their normal playing genre – fun!Libby and Allie and Kailas enjoyed an expedition to Scott’s Nursery in Lincoln (we had absolutely fabulous weather the entire wedding week) purchasing four planters for the deck and some pansies for the planters for the front door that Patricia (Brian’s late wife) used to keep looking beautiful. We had fun with this project. At one time Kailas said that Fredericton didn’t look like Canada at all – she moved from South Africa to Toronto (a few years ago) and had not seen anything outside of that metropolis. She likes Fredericton (very pretty with the fresh green on the plentiful trees) so much she wants to move here when she’s older.Back to the airport for noon on Saturday, June 9th., to meet Libby’s 27 yr-old son Sam: Libby was very excited and Sam looked handsome with a new neatly trimmed beard. We spent some time at Gloucester Cresc., the families blending naturally. Soon thereafter, the Duggan clan arrived – Brian’s daughter Sue, husband Shawn and kids Finn and Bridget who were an instant hit with Kailas. Later that afternoon Brian took Sam over to his Aunt Meredith’s for nap before the big dinner.We picked Sam up on our way to collect Mac (MacClement Freeman, Libby’s Dad’s cousin) – he came from Kingston by train to Moncton and had been delayed. Joyous reunion for far-flung family members yet again.
Family Dinner – Hanwell, NB – June 9, 2007
All of our worries about the weather for the weekend had been shared by Bev (Ross – Libby’s step-cousin) and Tim Fielding as they were hosting the Saturday night reception at their home at 132 Eaglewood Dr. and had had a large marquee tent erected in their back yard. But the weather continued magnificent – sunny and hot!Libby and Bruce did their duet thing to entertain the guests. During this time, wonderful reunions were happening for our families; the Cassidys, Frasers, MacClements and others. Some traveled great distances to be there – Libby’s stepmother Margaret MacClement, stepbrother Bruce MacClement from Kelowna, BC and Brian’s stepsister Betty Slifer from Filer, Idaho for example. It was the first meeting ever for Sam and his uncle Bruce MacClement.Festivities moved to the tent where Meredith led us in a singing grace of love and celebration, and this was followed by a magnificent roast beef dinner – a sit-down meal for about 60 people. Lots of beverages were available with all wine from Kelowna. Bev had recruited her daughters Zoe, Gillian and Taylor and their friends as well as the cousins (Bronwyn, Mary, Lauren, Peter, Jock, and Meredith) to help with the serving. While the delicious cheese-cakes were being enjoyed, Brian and Libby gave their speech, with an assist from Betty and Brian Jr. Brian was moved to depart from the prepared text because of the overwhelming love and warmth that radiated from this special gathering.
Wedding Day – June 10, 2007
Libby’s wedding day got off to a perfect start when the groom brought a breakfast of fresh fruit and yoghurt up to her and she could don her wedding finery at leisure. Brian attended to the breakfast needs of our seven guests and all of us were ready for a 9:30 departure for the Forest Hill United Church. Sue and Shawn, Finn and Bridget, picked up Brenda from her apartment; Libby and Brian took Bruce’s amplifier in the Jeep, and Bruce and family followed in the Toyota. Libby can’t remember much from before the service, except that the church was filled to capacity. Catherine Richards played the piano and Bruce set up his EVI and amplifier as Meredith had recruited him to be part of the children’s story. Sue read the scripture lessons, Mary (Bagnell) sang Panis Angelicus during the service and a closing prayer; and Meredith had lots of congregational participation as is her style.Brian’s thoughtful planning had allowed for a half hour break between the service and the wedding ceremony and it did allow for some of the congregation to leave and some guests to arrive. The wedding party met in the choir room to have corsages of freesias pinned on – we looked wonderful: the bride wore a street length dress of “melon ice” and the grooms-maids wore ankle length gowns of light lilac. The groom wore his dark sports jacket, and matching pants, white dress shirt and the tie that goes with the outfit. The bridesman (Sam) wore a brand new suit, as did the groomsman (Brian Jr.). The groom’s witness, Carl Konefal, looked splendid as well in his suit.It was a short but heart warming service highlighted by an exchange of vows (which Brian wrote and which we both memorized) and Irish Claddagh rings. The text of our vows and an explanation of the rings are included at the end of this journal. Sam gave the scripture readings. During the document signing, Bruce (on the EVI) and Catherine (at the piano) played a song which Bruce composed especially for the occasion called New Beginnings.The church reception followed immediately. The Forest Hill UCW had prepared an excellent lunch. The wedding cake was supplied by Mairi Fraser. It was a 3-tier cake decorated with mauve and pink freesias. Brian and Libby had a delightful time greeting guests who had gathered from far and wide to give us their best wishes. All were invited to attend the dinner at Gloucester Cres later that afternoon.Upon returning to Gloucester Cres, Libby and Brian changed into work clothes and began final setup for the dinner which followed at 5 PM. Brian, Sam and Shawn brought chairs from the church. Libby and Brenda set up and covered the 18 card tables which Brian had borrowed from the curling club. It was a sunny and hot afternoon, so we set up some tables on the sundeck. Just before the guests arrived, everyone changed into casual clothing. Libby wore a sea green pant suit that she had bought in New Zealand and Brian wore beige pants and light blue golf shirt.The house looked splendid, with the beautiful flower arrangements (chosen by Brenda) brought back from the church, the very fine linen Cassidy tablecloth on the extended dining room table, setting off the turkeys and ham that Tammy Ross (Brian Jr.s partner) had prepared. Certain guests had been asked to bring a side dish and these were placed on the table and sideboard as they arrived. Tammy had created a three-tiered wedding cake out of cupcakes (pink or white icing – three designs, three flavours) and this was displayed on the dropleaf table which we nestled in beside the sideboard. Rhubarb cordial (made by Libby in New Glasgow and brought up to Fredericton frozen), white wine, red wine and beer were available in the den which we reconfigured to have the traffic flow through. The photos from the albums that were available on our web-site were being projected onto a wall of the den, and music from the four C.D.’s that Brian had prepared for Libby in the preceding months was wafting through the remote speakers.Over 60 people came to party with us – and party we did! Great food, great company, and a great occasion. Libby and Bruce entertained after dinner to an appreciative audience – especially Bridget and Kailas who liked dancing to the happy tunes. The evening wound down with most of us sitting out on the front steps and lawn, enjoying a cool beer.
Family Departures and Brief Separation – June 11 – 17, 2007
One thing Libby and Brian had not really worked out was what to do with the dirty dishes! We had a full dinner service of armed services mess dishes courtesy of Brian Jr. and Tammy, who continue to be involved with Air Cadets. We rented wine and water glasses – and all this had to be washed! Thankfully, the dishwasher which moved from Charing Cres to Gloucester Cres 22 years ago was still functioning well and did yeoman service.Sue, Shawn, Finn and Bridget got organized to leave in good time, with tears at the parting of now firmly attached kin: Kailis and Finn and Bridget. They’ll remember the wonderful weekend together for a long time.Soon it was time to take Bruce, Allison and Kailis to the airport. One of their bags was inadvertently left at Gloucester Cres., but Libby and Brian are a good team and relayed it out to them in plenty of time. And just in time for Libby to make the trip out with Sam, returning to Montreal.On Tuesday and Wednesday, we returned chairs, tables, etc., and got the house ready for the house sitter – but mostly the time was spent tiredly but blissfully counting our blessings. Thursday saw us separating – again! - Brian went to Ottawa for a C.C.A. meeting and Libby returned to New Glasgow as the Pictou County String Quartet was booked to play a wedding.
Honeymoon – Grand Lake, NB – June 18 – 22, 2007
So it was with great pleasure that we packed up the Jeep on Monday June 18 for 5 days at the camp at Grand Lake. A leisurely drive along the river then a winding road past several small lakes (Indian and Maquapit) took us eventually down a tree-enclosed lane to the cabin. Libby was immediately struck with the sweet pine smell almost before she took in the sight of the magnificent, towering, ancient trees themselves. And the oak trees! There’s definitely a strong link between tall old trees and the calmness of one’s soul. Champagne (a gift from the Pictou County String Quartet) baptised the floor – we eventually found the cork! – and set the scene for 5 glorious days of close companionship. Walking, talking, Libby sketching, Brian having fun with installing and checking out Adobe Premier software, meal preparation, watching movies, all contributed to our bliss; but the best part of it all was the strengthening assurance that we thoroughly enjoy each other’s company. From early on we have been thankful for the qualities of trust and respect that we share, for our strengths in communication, for our refreshing appreciation of each other’s presence in our lives; and now we have made the commitment to marriage. The adventure continues!! Libby and Brian
Brian and Libby’s Wedding Vows
Brian/Libby my love:I will be your rock,
I will give you my shoulder to cry on,
I will celebrate you accomplishments and provide sympathy
and comfort in hard times,
I will pick you up when you fall,
I will be with you every step of the way as together we experience
the joy and pain of living,
I will love you,
be loyal to you and I will be your best friend,
All I can do is love you to pieces and this I will do till all the seas
gang dry my dear, till all the seas gang dry.
Irish Claddagh RingsText excerpted from Wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claddagh_ring
The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring, given in friendship or worn as a wedding ring. The design and customs associated with it originated in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, located just outside the old walls of the city of Galway. The ring was first produced in the 17th Century during the reign of Queen Mary II, though elements of the design are much older.The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love."The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's romantic availability, or lack thereof. Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with the heart facing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship: "their heart is open." When worn on the right hand but with the heart facing inward toward the body, this indicates the person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that "someone has captured their heart".A Claddagh worn on the left hand ring finger, facing outward away from the body, generally indicates that the wearer is engaged. When the ring is on the left hand ring finger and facing inward toward the body, it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.