Time slows down for major life events such as Joe and Leonor's marriage this week. So much was packed in, in such a short period of time, so many important moments that I will undoubtedly leave one or two, even more out.
What was obvious was that everyone present wanted to share Leonor's and Joe's happiness beyond the small circle that was there. I think the phrase heard the most after "congratulations" was "see you in Portugal."
So, in the sharing as much as possible vein, there were three events: a rehearsal-type dinner the night before where the Fontouras met the Dicksons; the civil ceremony in the DC courthouse; and a reception/dinner at Old Ebbet's Grill.
The first dinner at the Lebanese Taverna started out noisy, but pretty soon, I think our party was making the most noise. We eventually drove everyone out of the place, and were the last to leave. It's remarkable how everyone from Portugal spoke English, and how they were even speaking English to each other. None of them had been to Washington, and the first to arrive were caught up in the snow storm on Sunday. They had beautiful pictures. The next group from Portugal arrived in the bad weather, but were able to enjoy rather quickly the beautiful spring-like weather that followed. They did what everyone in Washington does: they walked, the length of the mall, taking in museums and all. I should mention that when Joe arrived, he handed his work-phone to Leonor who kept it out of his grasp for the next 48 hours.
The ceremony at the courthouse took place the following day in the afternoon. Mary and I picked up Joe at his house, and we made a mad dash through the traffic and arrived there after everyone else, but still on time. There's a small cute chapel tucked away in the corridors of a large bureaucratic building. The judge (or presiding official) was very nice, saying at the outset that her instructions would be longer than the actual ceremony. But the language was familiar, and moved more than a few of us to teary eyes. Leonor's friend took some photos that we will see soon. The photo on the below, though, I believe was the only one of the happy couple on their way out of the courthouse. If you look closely you can spot the wedding bands on their left hands!!
We went from their right to the Old Ebbet's Grill across the street from the White House, or the Treasury Department, and we had to restrain Joe from going over to check in to see if they needed him. Not really. Proseco, steak and crab cakes were on the menu, but so were some very heartfelt remarks from nearly everyone present. We learned a few things about Joe, we remembered the first time we met Leonor (setting up a tent in the pouring rain at Assateague,) we heard how they met and met the young woman who introduced them. In his remarks, Andrew made note of the exclusive in-law club that Leonor had joined. Leonor's brothers spoke, one in Portuguese, with Leonor translating, but the other in flawless English. It was all really special, with many moments that Leonor and Joe would revisit for many years to come. And, of course, when we broke up, we were all talking up a Portugal visit.
We did get together at Joe and Leonor's house Friday evening for pizza dinner (along with Gerry and Dennis, our hosts). We picked up Annie at Margaret and Andrew's the next morning and headed home. Margaret and Andrew were on their way to Lancaster for the weekend before heading to Mexico for a week. The wedding couple looked exhausted, ready for a rest.
On the way back, we stopped in Princeton for a brunch with Peter, Janet and Sean where we caught up on their news. Sean is living in West Orange with his high school friend, Clint, and working at Rutgers; Janet had just returned from a week of school trips to NYC with Princeton Day students, and Peter is taking a class on African-American literature in the 20th century.
We got home late on Saturday and played host to our friend Charlie from North Carolina who was up here visiting his son who goes to Williams.
This week, we're off to Gabon, but with fresh memories of a great week, and a wonderful wedding. Congratulations to Joe and Leonor, and see you in Portugal.
Love from up here.
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