A wedding in Corsicana

In the grand scheme of Gran and Bessie's whole life, I don't think they ever envisioned a wedding on their plot of land. I don't think they thought it at all. I know they loved their little place. It was heaven to them. And while Gran kept it "starched and ironed" as good as anyone ever could, he would not have thought it a great wedding venue. Not at all. He thought some of our ideas were just plain silly.

In fact, he didn't even think we should keep the farm after he and Grandma had graduated to the hereafter. He always told us to sell it and not look back. He said we could ride by it some day and remember it, but that's all we should do. He didn't see how we could care for the place when we didn't live there. 

Of all the things he ever said, that was as crazy a statement as he could have ever made. I guess he had no idea how much we loved his and Bessie's farm. I know I could walk that place with my eyes closed. 

I remember..... 

Sleeping under the attic fan. Watching The Lone Ranger, Batman and I Love Lucy in the afternoons. Chasing elusive lightening bugs. Cold nights sleeping under an electric blanket. My Aunt Mollie's pink gingham dress on a visit to the farm. Sleeping under a window unit air conditioner on the sleeping porch.

Pecan trees, perfectly stacked firewood, plum jelly making, pickled beets filling the kitchen air with its distinctive smell. Eating watermelon on the silver circle table in the yard. Homemade hand cranked peach ice cream. The hottest of afternoons when the Texas wind abandoned us for other parts of the state. Watching my barefoot Grandmother walk to the garden to fetch an onion for the lunch cooking on the stove. Any delicious meal (except chicken and dumplings) Grandma cooked for us. Roosters crowing, baby chicks peeping, sheep, goats, Hereford cows. And Lord knows I love a dusty Texas country road.    

My fondest memories almost always take me to that farm. And even though Truly and Bessie have been gone for too many years, I still love their place more than anywhere on this earth. I've got Texas in my bones and in my blood.  

Gran and Grandma were excellent stewards of that piece of God's country while they were here. 

To have one more day with him...

Then last November it happened right there at Gran and Bessie's. I'd say the two of them would have been pleased and surprised to have seen it starched, ironed, all dressed up and ready for the first wedding ever held on the place. 

It looked beautiful for the event.

Red barn and all.

It was Whitney and David's day to celebrate a new beginning.

The beautiful bride.

This picture is a reminder that it was waaaay windy that day.

Cutest little girls.

Even Mamaw came to the farm.

Then it was time to get married.

That purple dress Lydia is wearing is now missing in action.

Here comes...

the very chilly...

bridesmaids.

And the cutest ever little cowboy with hat problems.

And here comes the bride.

With a cowboy/preacher/Dad. 

And here we are...

Looks like a really lovely, albeit very windy day for a wedding.

The dress was beautiful as it billowed in the wind.

Mollie never disappoints.

Almost married.

Lucas seemed reflective.

Emma had flown in from DC for the wedding and the holidays.

Kit Kat was camera ready.

Vera flew the whole way from Pennsylvania for the occasion. 

Cowboy Lucas.

Howdy Ma'am.

One more...

Such a cutie.

It was the perfectly beautiful blue sky day with a chill in the very stiff wind.

The cowboy needed some warming up.

And a snuggle.

The wind did no hair favors for anyone.

Suddenly, Lucas became suspicious. 

Finishing up the vows and then it's official.

One more prayer as a new family.

A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.

Mr. and Mrs. Foster.

It was a lovely day filled with family and fun and memories well made. Gran and Grandma's place showed off and provided a gorgeous backdrop for the guests. The two of them would have been impressed.

We have a new memory to add to our list of lovely things to remember about Corsicana. 

All the best to the lovely couple and happily ever after.