You’re probably wondering what the train reference is all about. I’ll get to that in just a minute, so read on…
This past weekend, my lovely daughter married the man of her dreams. I feel too young to be a mother-in-law, let alone the mother of a married woman, but…I am.
The wedding was perfect, in part, because my daughter (non-ADD) planned the majority of it. It was fascinating to see someone without ADD planning such a big event vs someone like me who can’t even decide what brand of paper towel to buy at the market.
But Kate did it all, from the flowers to the table linens, to the food choices to the music. I just came along for moral support (not sure who was supporting whom, to be honest) and to learn how to do this sort of thing so that maybe I’ll get the hang of it by the time her younger sister is ready to marry. Kate’s groom and I had some input, but not a lot because she had so much figured out already.
When we looked at flowers, I was taken aback- what color? What shape? What sort of arrangement? My head began to spin. Then when the head florist sat down with us, Kate simply said: “I want white flowers with a touch of color in them and not too high so that people can’t see each other at the table. And I like dahlias, chrysanthemums and some roses.” I was still spinning in overwhelm and she’d already figured out the flower arrangements, bouquet and boutineer!
Then the food choices. The bride and groom looked over the menu well before the tasting and had a good idea of what they wanted. I was sent the menu but didn’t look at it until 5 minutes before our appointment. Hmm…do people want chicken or fish? Beans or asparagus? Again, I had no clue because I generally heat up something frozen. From a box.
At the tasting, we were served the bride and groom’s top picks and after one taste of each (ONE, I’ll have you know), she was able to choose exactly what the menu would be for her special night. I was still going back and forth with the chicken and fish tasting and she’d already chosen the appetizers, side dishes, salads and desserts.
The rest of the wedding planning went just like this: me floundering with the whirl of options in front of us, she with a strong sense of what she wanted and the ability to make quick decisions.
Finally, the day arrived. We had one walk- through rehearsal for the ceremony and then we were on our own. I figured I’d take my husband’s lead, as he has a memory of steel. I’ve learned long ago to get my cues by watching his eyes and reading his lips.
We started the procession and turned to watch as our beautiful daughter walked halfway down the aisle, then pausing for us to come get her and walk her to her groom. My husband and I flanked each side, holding her delicate hands and released her to her soon to be husband. I then followed my husband to find out seats and then I…I…I… TRIPPED OVER HER TRAIN and almost went flying. My daughter yelled **MOM!!** just like she’d done hundreds of times before when she was growing up, admonishing and laughing at my clumsy escapades.
Sigh. ADD follows me everywhere, even to my daughter’s wedding. But in the end, it still works out. The evening was magical, the guests had a ball and I spent the evening dancing, relieved that I hadn’t cracked another bone.
ADD can make you drop to your knees in embarrassment and pain at times, but it can’t break you. We are a resilient bunch.
Don’t you think?
