Eventually, of course, John and Tracy arrived and began walking through this arch. There were six officers on each side.Just before passing through the end of this arch, the two officers on the end dropped their sabers down to block them from exiting and then demanded some kissing. With much laughter, John and Tracy began kissing passionately for several seconds. Then, once the two sabers were lifted, they stepped forward once again.
The officer on John’s side was Second Lieutenant Mitch Cooper and he now gave John a swat on his rear while announcing in a loud voice, “Welcome to the Army Aviation Branch, Mr. McCrea!” Tracy was beaming with delight, watching as one of her many dreams about John had finally come true. She glanced over at the man taking the video and he nodded at her to confirm this wonderful moment had been captured and she could enjoy watching it over and over again in the future.
Next through the arch came Mike and Missy. They too were stopped by two sabers dropping to block them and a request that they do some kissing. More laughter, more kissing and … evenmorekissing! Finally, they both stepped forward and Mike too was swatted on the rear by Mitch. He then heard, “Welcome to the Army Special Forces, Mr. Ryan!” Missy was equally as thrilled as Tracy had been. Yeah, it was great fun to be them and watch their guys getting treated this way, right?
Soon the chapel began to empty as all the guests came out to congratulate the newlyweds. There were lots of photos required, of course, and it was close to an hour before the happy newlyweds were finally able to climb inside the huge white limo which was waiting for them. Second Lieutenant Anthony Fugia was their driver and he drove them over to the Thayer Hotel where, of course, they needed to be photographed a lot morebefore they could finally go inside for the big wedding reception which awaited them.
Missy was glad she had worn minimal makeup that day, and no lipstick whatsoever. She and Mike kept kissing one another and, had she not had the foresight for this, her and Mike’s faces would by now be quite a mess. She knew Tracy had done likewise as the two of them had discussed this very issue. Yep, when you get married, there will be lots and lots of kissing once the happy ceremony is over.
Tracy was able to use the empathic ability which she had obtained from Missy thanks to all those energy exchanges they had performed. She therefore was sensing just how gloriously happy all four of them were right then. This day had been years in the making, the crowning jewel symbolizing that magnificent peak to their soulmate bonds, celebrating this wonderful moment of their love and commitment to one another.
Yeah, Missy was feeling all this as well. Having so many of her family and friends there to help celebrate this momentous event was especially wonderful. It truly was a magic moment which she and Mike would treasure forever. So too, of course, would Tracy and John which only further made it special.
Missy was twenty-two years old now and living her life to the fullest. Every year as they went forward, she would be celebrating her birthday and her anniversary on the same day. The summer solstice had been reached the previous day and her supernatural energy had once again peaked at an extremely high level. This too would happen each year and Missy believed that it all was meant to be.
Then it was time for them to go inside. They had a wonderful event to enjoy and all four of them were anxious to“have this plan come together” as they made their way into the Thayer Hotel.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
It had taken more than an hour for everyone to work their way through the two receiving lines and congratulate the newlywed couples. There was an open bar, of course, and Missy had arranged for that to remain an open bar throughout the day and into the evening. Everyone enjoyed mingling during this time and, since there were plenty of hors d’oeuvres and snacks being served to prevent drinking on an empty stomach, no one minded this gap between the ceremony and the dinner.
Eventually, everyone found their seat. There was a large chart at the entrance to direct guests to their tables as well as individual place cards at each seat. The place cards included an indication of which meal the guest had selected. If the guest was a member of the military, the place card was colored appropriately for that person’s branch while the cards for non-military were an ivory white. The fonts were a simple calligraphy-style and for general officers there were also the appropriate number of gold stars on their cards.
Throughout the room there were decorations leaving no doubt that this was a military wedding. Combined with so many Dress Blue uniforms which all the military guests were wearing, that created quite an atmosphere. It was formal, dignified and patriotic which both Missy and Tracy found to be exactly what they’d wanted.
Finally, the prolonged “cocktail hour” was over and everyone had gone through the receiving lines. When the two newlywed couples then took their seats up at the head table,which again was solely for the four of them, that signaled all the others to do likewise. Soon, waiters were bringing out the salads along with either soup or chowders for those who had requested those. Meanwhile, Heather approached the dais and speaking into the microphone with an authoritative voice she announced that she was honored to be the master of ceremony for this wonderful event.
“My sister Missy granted me this honor to make up for her choosing Tracy rather than me as her Maid of Honor,” explained Heather. “While I’m not a member of the military, after getting to watch both Missy and Tracy work their way through West Point these past four years and getting to attend so many events down here, I believe I’ve soaked up enough by osmosis to properly execute my duty for this.”
She paused and after waiting a long moment she went on to say, “Note how I referenced this as adutywhich I needed toproperlyexecute. I doubt I’d be saying those particular words were this not amilitarywedding.” This was met with laughter throughout the room.
Then Heather continued and said, “Although dancing was not scheduledbeforewe all enjoy our dinner, I’ve been told to assure you that there will be lots of dancingafterthe meal. Here now to say a prayer before we have that meal is Colonel Sager, our chaplain who certainly executed his duty at the chapel this morning in the proper manner.” Everyone appreciated her humorous introduction.
After the chaplain led them all in prayer, Heather again spoke and said, “I now want to introduce two individuals who will give the first toast. You will find there is a glass of champagne already poured for each guest. Once this toast hasbeen given, you are all instructed to enjoy your delicious meals. I will return once you are finished with your main entrees and the desserts are being brought out. We have several guests who will then each give a short speech about these two couples and there will indeed be some more toasts to them as well.
“Tradition often has the father of the bride give the first toast. However, we havetwobrides and therefore we havetwosuch fathers. They have agreed to come forward now andtogetherthey will perform this very important task. I hereby give you … thefathersof thebrides!”
Tracy’s father and Missy’s father had both made their way up to the dais and now Tracy’s father accepted the microphone from Heather who went to her seat and sat down.
Tracy’s dad began by saying, “As I’m sure everyone here has noticed, Mr. McCrea and I are dressed alike today”. He paused briefly and then added, “Our daughters made us do this.” This comment and the way in which he was gesturing at both himself and Missy’s dad brought several laughs.
Missy’s father than grabbed the microphone and said, “Since I have not merely one buttwoof my children who have just been married, I have requested that I be allowed to speak up heretwiceas long.” After a short pause, he said, “Unfortunately, my request was denied.” More laughs. “Mr. McGonagle and I are therefore not giving any long speeches but instead we are jointly asking everyone here to raise their glasses along with us as we now toast to my sonJohn.” He picked up one of the glasses of champagne already there while handing the microphone to Tracy’s dad.
“To his wife, my daughterTracy,” announced her father while picking up the other glass of champagne. He then handed the microphone back to Missy’s dad.
“To my daughterMissy,” said her father while raising his glass high in the air. He quickly handed the microphone back to Tracy’s dad.
“And to her husbandMike,” exclaimed Tracy’s father while raising his glass high in the air. Both voices then said in unison, “To the two happy couples! May they live long and wonderful lives!” When these two now took a sip from their glasses, so too did all the guests and a chorus of, “Hear, hear!” was given as well.
There really had been no need for them to give any speeches since it was obvious from the way they both had been acting while giving this toast just how proud they were and how much love they had for these newlyweds.
The waiters and waitresses had been bringing out the entrees during all this while others had been clearing away the empty salad dishes and soup/chowder bowls. Soon, everyone was feasting on their delicious meals and enjoying the conversations at their tables. Several times there would of course also be some clinking of glasses signaling the newlyweds that they must interrupt their meal so the spouses could kiss one another. Such moments were always exciting and both couples made quite a show in carrying out this ritual.
When Heather finally returned to the dais and again picked up the microphone, everyone was ready. She then introduced one speaker after another. This ended up taking quite a while, during which dessert and coffee were served. Plus, of course, there were many more toasts.
Then Heather introduced John to give the best man toast. He was followed by Tracy with the maid of honor toast. She of course handed the microphone to Mike for his best man toast. Then, Missy had the last word with her maid of honor toast.
