Toto, I don't think we're in Upstate NY anymore

Or…went to the chapel I guess would be more accurate.  I know it’s a week late now, but as promised, here is the Wedding Bells special edition to complete last week’s Top Ten.  A long weekend spent with the family in the lovely Fingerlakes provided many delightful experiences…but I’m rather sleepy (at 10:30 on a Friday night?  yes…i am 73 years old) so I’m going to keep these brief (a likely story) and just give you the highlights reel.

1) The Wedding Ceremony: Obviously, this had to top the list.  It was so special to see my cousin Sarah, who I grew up with and was one of my best friends for much of my childhood, up there saying “I Do.”  She looked absolutely beautiful and glowing and happy, and I was so happy for her.  I also had the honor of singing during the ceremony, a song that she chose because it was special for her and her husband, “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds.  I also love this song, and with Mary Beth’s virtuoso piano accompianament, I think the music brought a tear to a few eyes.  Admittedly, there were a few moments when I wasn’t quite sure I was going to get through it myself.  During the rehearsal, I looked over at Sarah to see tears running down her face, and I quickly had to imagine everyone in their underwear to keep from crying.  Oh wait…that’s for stage fright.  I guess I just created that disturbing mental family portrait for nothing then.

2) The Cake: Check Mary Beth’s facebook pictures for documentation of this toothsome masterpiece, but I don’t think the photos can do it justice.  A rich fudgey brownie cake with chocolate fondant- and it was as delicious as it sounds.  However, I must admit that my personal favorite was the carrot cake.  This fabulous confection was completely separate from the official wedding cake, and available only to those VIP wedding guests who had been provided with the insider info.  I of course indulged in this super-excluive dessert and grinned smugly at all those who were unaware of what they were missing.  Ah, the upper crust.

3) Cody’s Dance Debut:  After endless attempts to persuade our darling 9-year-old cousin to come out on the dance floor, he was finally convinced to bust a move when he heard the bass-bumping craziness of his favorite song, “Get Low”.  He took a few spins around the floor with the bride to thunderous applause.  Well, Mary Beth and I were definitely cheering him on.  The whole car ride back I was then priveleged to listen to Cody’ bee-bop rendition of the song that went something like this: “Skibeedop bop bop jeans, shoobie doot fur”.

4) Olsen (Butler) Twins photo shoot:  Mary Beth and I have been alternately trying to convince people we’re twins and break into the modeling business for several years now.  No success yet, but that doesn’t stop us from continuing to carry out high-fashion photo shoots at every opportunity….especially when things have kind of slowed down at a wedding and we’re not sure what else to do.  We spent at least 20 minutes taking pictures of ourselves at the table and laughing hysterically at the results.  I discovered that despite watching many episodes of America’s Next Top  Model, I am incapable of producing a “fierce” face.  In fact, my “fierce”, “sexy” and “sweet” faces are all more or less identical- that alluring expression that somehow conveys: “someone flashed a spotlight in my face and simultaneously punched me in the stomach”.  Why did Mary Beth get all the photogenic genes in the family?

5) Once Again Shoppe Safari!:  While not a part of the official wedding festivities, this was certainly a highlight of the weekend.  Mom and I have become recent afficionados of this wonderfully cluttered and somewhat dilapidated thrift store in Penn Yan.  While in high school, I wouldn’t have stooped to visit this establishment for anything other than funny costume supplies, I now find that with a little bit of rummaging, you can find some real treasure miraculously overlooked by the rest of the Penn Yan populace.  Mom and I have a great time sifting through the racks and inevitably suggesting hilariously heinous outfits for each other.  At the end though we leave with a whole bag of newly-found attire for a mere five bucks.  Of course I come back to New York and tell everyone I got it at some uber-trendy hipster vintage store.  Thanks again Once Again Shoppe!

There’s much more that deserves mention, but really the best thing was just being able to spend time with Mom, Dad, MB and Cody.  It was worth every Go-Greyhound second to be able to see them and hang out in the grand Butler family tradition!