Meet-and-Greet party

[This is intended as sort of an explanation of the general idea for the pre/post/ceremony/reception posts, and test run to see if there are any problems with the process that need to be addressed.]

Invitation to:
* George and Shelli King
* Susan Fox and Gene Turnbow
* Gordon and Blake Kero
* Delari Johnston and Keith Murray
* Joseph and Joanne Greene
* James Davis and Tanya Stewart
(consider these to include "and family" if you have young'uns you'll be bring along)

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Morgan and Roland
would be delighted
if you could join them
for an evening of pizza
and conversation
at their home
(some evening before
the ceremony *g*)

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

A spacious living room with a window taking up half the outer wall is miraculously clean. Comfy chairs are gathered around a folding table, well-spread with pizza of the guests' choice (the bride and groom have a pepperoni and fresh garlic pie [1]). One room over, any children brought with guests are watching and/or playing the pre-vetted entertainment of their choice. A cozy fire burns invitingly in the fireplace, a pair of cute well-aged cats purring contentedly nearby (when they're not trying to get their ears scritched). The fridge is well-stocked with BOYCs, and the aroma from a pot of spiced cider on the stove fills the air.

Introductions are made as necessary (see the Ladies of Honor and Best Men posts if needed), music is turned on in the background [2], plates are filled, and the stories commence. :-)

Roland and Morgan go back and forth for a minute on which story to start with -- Peter and Keith's Florida road trip, or the original wedding. The latter wins, being more relevant to the surroundings. They kick things off with that, taking turns telling the tale.

"We were going to be married at Great Western War II, as some of you are aware. We posted the basics on the About tab, but man, was that a day. Valentine's Day being on a Saturday that year, we were far from the only couple who had a wedding rained out. At least one other couple postponed theirs until the next war, but we wanted to be married on Valentine's Day. After GWW had been called on account of, well, rain, everyone was breaking camp and packing in the cold and wet. This being 1998, Titanic quips flew back and forth -- at least one bard 'entertained' harried SCAdians with 'Nearer My God To Thee.' Digging cars out of the six-inch-deep mud pit that used to be a parking lot was harder to find amusing. It didn't help that back then, we were driving the 60s solid steel station wagon. Fortunately, this was this SCA -- people pitched in and the car was hauled out. Shortly after sunset, the rain had stopped, but the skies had cleared, temperatures had plummeted, and dinner had not been eaten.

"Packing the car and caravaning home was an adventure in itself, but I think that's one of those 'you hadda be there' things. Once we'd all gotten back here, warm clothes was loaned to still-damp guests, a fire much like that one was lit, and folks unloaded the food we'd brought to camp. Our contribution had been stew -- a welcome comfort food after a day like that -- while our guests provided yummy sides. Warm bread was a gourmet dish after huddling in chilly tents for most of the day. A couple of hours later, we were feeling mostly human again, and decided we could pull off this wedding thing after all.

"After a day where nothing seemed to want to go right, maybe we were entitled to a break, because the rest of the evening went off without a hitch. All of the day's obstacles -- the rain, mud, cold, packing, drive -- just vanished when we saw each other as the ceremony began. Dylan was remarkably patient for a tired 6-year-old dressed in fancy garb at 11:30, serving as ring-bearer with the particular gravity unique to young children. Seosaidh did an excellent job as our officiant, performing with deep spiritual dignity right up to the point when he finished the ceremony, looked at his watch, and said, 'Ten minutes to spare.' [3]" *they grin at Joseph*

(Presumably, someone picks up the ball from here with a story or anecdote. This is the part where you all "role-play" yourselves chatting and getting to know one another in the comments *G*.)

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Annotations:

1. The universe confirmed that we were meant for each other when we ordered pizza together for the first time. And decided on toppings in under thirty seconds. *G*
2. One of the nice things about this being virtual -- the music playing is always something you'll like.
3. The now-classic riff on Captain Sheridan's "good luck speech."