Travel Update III

At the wedding

Jon and Julie cutting the wedding cake


It’s officially wedding season! I attended two weddings in two weeks, which was a lot of fun. The first wedding took me to Florida for the marriage of Aaron’s sister, Julie.

I got there before Shavuot to have more time there and to spend the holidays among loved ones. It was wonderful to spend that time together, and I got a chance to have lunch on the second day of Shavuot with my second cousins. It was great to see them and I think they enjoyed spending a little time with me and getting to know Aaron, his mom and sisters.

It was nice to feel part of this family occasion. I helped out a little with some practical stuff but mostly, I was just around to listen and to try to keep people sane. I got a chance to get to know individual family members better and really believed that they were glad I came. Plus, it was a whole week of food, hanging out by the pool, and being with Aaron. Best vacation ever!

The wedding itself was great but it was a total blur. I got all snazzed up in my formal dress and met up with Aaron's sister, Nina's boyfriend, Matt and Todd's girlfriend, Trisha, to drive over to the synagogue for the wedding. The Sig-Os, as we are called, got to hang out a lot while the immediate family took pictures and signed the ketubah. Aaron officiated the ceremony and did a great job, as the rest of the family and friends kept telling me throughout the night. His brother, the jazz singer, sang the opening songs which made the event more meaningful. Everyone looked so beautiful and the chuppah had gorgeous hydrangea and purple roses. The speeches were funny and poignant with one exception, but I won't mention it here to embarrass anyone, but clearly someone forgot he was giving a toast and not a roast...

Anyway, it was nice getting introduced to all the family and friends I hadn't yet met. Weddings always make me think about what I want for my future wedding, and people were definitely trying to pry to find out if we would be next. Can't you just enjoy the wedding you are at without trying to rush off to the next one?! I am sure Nina would appreciate that as well....still, I had no chance of getting the bouquet with Nina around, and it was hilarious when 13 year old cousin Taylor caught the garter.

Then it was all over and we hung around with family and ran errands the day after. Then I had to pack and get back to Israel where a world of hurt awaited me. (I have 8 finals and as of today, only 2 are behind me. ) What a whirlwind, but it was so worth it!!

More pics at www.picasaweb.google.com/peninap