Friday - June 24, 2011
June 20, 1988
The day had come in which we had chosen to become man and wife. It wasn’t the easiest of decisions for several reasons, none having to do with the fact of the love we had for one another or the commitment we were about to make. I was an older bride; a person many people thought would never marry. I was marrying a man who had been married and had a child. We wanted this day to be special, but not flamboyant. We wanted it simple! It would have been wonderful to have had his eight -year old there as part of our special day, but it wasn’t meant to be. I definitely wanted Mom and Dad there, and with Mom’s feeling of losing a daughter, I wasn’t sure that was going to happen.
Bill’s parents and Granny had already said they couldn’t come; my siblings and their family would have been there for me had I asked, but when wanting to keep it small, the question was how do you keep it small in my family??? Since we knew Bill’s family would not be there, I asked Mom and Dad if they would be there when we said our vows. It was at that point Mom knew I was really getting married. It had nothing to do with Bill . . . . She adored him . . . . I really think it was the fear of losing me, the last of her four children who was at home and there to help if Dad were to have another heart-attack. She had never been left alone with him since his first attack in fifteen years! Once she realized it was going to happen, she was all for it . . . at least on the outside!
Along with my cousin Pat, we went shopping for dresses. Mom was looking for a new dress that would double as a church dress . . . . Nothing too fancy, but something she would definitely keep wearing. As for me, I was looking for that special dress or suit that would make me feel like a bride. I didn’t want to pay an outlandish price, and I wanted the dress to be my wedding dress. We went to Charleston and found what I wanted . . . . A two piece dress that was a cream color and was not too fancy, but fancy enough to make me feel like a bride!
We were set . . . . We had the marriage license, rings, my dress, Bill‘s suit, and the witnesses! I went to local florist and order a bouquet for me with “blue” ribbons, a corsage for Mom and a boutonniere for Bill. No hair appointment was needed as I would do my own hair and Mom’s. The ribbon would represent something “blue,” and something borrowed was the set of earrings I would wear – they belonged to Mom!
Bill would come by the house and pick the three of us up, and we would drive to Boyd County, Kentucky to be married in the Court House by a judge. That wasn’t meant to be; the judge had gone fishing!!!! However there was a church across the street in which the minister was available for such unexpected circumstances. Bill went to the church and located the minister in his office and explained to him what had happened. He graciously consented to perform the marriage ceremony. Mom was thrilled because I would now be married in a church. When she and Dad married, they went to the pastor’s home! My oldest brother was married to his wife in her parent’s home with a pastor presiding, and my other two brothers had a very nice and large ceremony in a church setting.
At a little past 10:30 AM on June 20, 1988; the Reverend Paul Cropper pronounced us man and wife! The few pictures we have of that day were taken by Dad, who was not familiar with the camera, and was emotional about his “little girl” getting married. Both he and Mom love Bill, and they knew that deep down I was going to be okay!
Mom and Dad have wonderful neighbors. The Keyser’s decided Bill and I needed a cake. So, while we were getting married, they went out and bought a small cake with a bride and groom and had it set up when we returned. We actually had a very small reception with the neighbors, Mom, and Dad before heading off on our new life together.
We can watch one of the reality shows on TV called “Bridezilla” and see what the pressure does to the bride, family, and all helping with the wedding; and it sure isn’t pleasant in some cases! I have even seen some where the groom became a “Groomzilla!” Nothing like that took place for our preparation or wedding, but we did have an interesting thing happen. While inside the church getting married, a police officer came by our car and gave us a parking ticket. Yes there were meters outside the church; and no, we didn’t feed the meter; so we started off our marriage with us having to go in and paying a parking ticket!! Mom says, “I didn’t see any meters there when we went into the church!” Dad always shook his head and laughed! Bill and I accepted what had happened and not let it ruin the first day of being man and wife!
Mom and Dad's neighbors came out to watch and to get a glimpse of the "bride and groom!"
The dresses we had bought for this special day!
Mom and Dad weren't really "upset" . . . we were facing the sun!!!!
The "I Do's"
Mr. and Mrs. William H Hardin!
. . . the picture above has the "dots" as the top while the one below has the monkeys on top . . . 
. . . dress # 1 completed with green ribbon used as the ties on the shoulders . . . 
