May 28, 2009

The Butler family social event of the season took place at the Wedding Bowl – a park overlooking the beach in La Jolla.

The weather was NOT wedding day perfect, and as we waited for the ceremony to begin, the clouds, breeze and cool (actually cold) temperatures made us all wish we had classy jackets to match our wedding finery.

Nathan remained his usual cool self and chatted with the guests after giving Peter some last minute instructions about the music.  Pete was more nervous than Nate – certain he would ruin the occasion by messing up the music.  But he handled that i-pod like a champ.

Peter got the music going, and Katie demurely made her way down the ramp scattering the flower petals as she’d been instructed.  When she got to the front and still had petals left in the basket, the minister told her to just dump them all out.  She dutifully obeyed, so Nikki had a plush cushion of rose petals under [one of] her feet.

As Nikki and her dad started down, I found myself looking from Nikki to the waiting Nate and back again.  Their grins were contagious!  And “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” seemed the perfect background.

Nikki’s excitement was evident as she bounced and rocked on her heels while they promised to love, honor and respect each other.  Nate kept grinning.  And we all shared their enthusiasm!

The reception dinner was a delicious barbecue catered by Phil’s.  The cakes (carrot with cream cheese icing and white with berry filling and white chocolate icing) were the perfect ending.

and the dreams that you dare to dream
really do come true.