Two weeks ago, David announced that he was not going to be in Rebecca and Joel's wedding, heck he wasn't even going to go to Rebecca and Joel's wedding. We spent a lot of time A. not getting in a direct confrontation on the issue and B. explaining everything that was going to happen, including the chocolate mousse. Tonight he announced that he liked everything about their wedding, and he wants to have one exactly like it.

Rebecca is my sister's husband's sister. Got it? Or we could just say that Rebecca listed Rose and David in the program as her niece and nephew. We are very touched by this and touched by how involved with the wedding we got to be.

This was a conservative Jewish wedding, so many of the traditions were not just foreign to John but to me as well. Never been to a Tish before. But instead of drinking heavily and trying to declaim on Torah while we interrupted her with ribald jokes (as I have learned is traditional), Rebecca had us tell stories of women of valor and sing Broadway songs. One thing I love about Jewish weddings is how everyone just joins in. So, all the women gathered together and belted out "Take Back Your Mink" and "I Feel Pretty."

After that we got to dance and sing Rebecca out to meet Joel who had been having his own Tish. Then, right there signing the ketubah, they talked about what they loved in each other. I think that was my favorite part.

The nieces and nephews started the processional by waving ribbon wands. Keep track of those wands, they'll take on great significance later. The chuppah cover was a quilt the mothers made from squares family and friends sent in. We gave Rebecca and Joel a picture of Mt. Rainer because we go camping with them there every year. The chuppah poles were made by an artist friend. My sister used them for her wedding. John and I used them for our wedding. And our names are engraved on them along with most of our Jewish Seattle friends. They are very special poles.

After the ceremony, dancing. Lots and lots and lots of dancing. A solid hour of horahs. Pretty impressive. I tell you I like it when the wedding is not a spectator sport, and everyone dances. Rose had so much fun dancing and entertaining the bride and groom. She, Miriam, and Ariana wore matching outfits and looked adorable. Rose's was pink of course.

And all this time dancing was David freaking out from the crowds and the noise? Was he whining because dinner was 45 minutes later then he usually eats? Oh no, he had a ribbon wand and bubbles. In fact all the kids now had ribbon wands and bubbles. They quickly invented cut down the bubble games and sword fight and they were completely entertained.

Dinner was vegetarian, kosher, gluten-free, Indian, and delicious. My kids ate rice and orange juice. Oh, and chocolate mousse.

Usually when John and I dance, David breaks us up. Or when Rose and I dance, David changes the music. But tonight he found his groove. He danced tons with Daddy, and I mean proto swing dancing, and then he invented some very fast footwork that was actually on the beat, and he went wild with it.

Last week we went to a Bar Mitzvah where they played music appropriate for 13 year olds. Tonight we got My Charona, Love Shack, and Old Time Rock and Roll. Heaven.