Runaway Bride

Today is my wedding anniversary! My husband, Dale, and I have been married for 37 years! The reality of it is quite amazing for a girl who almost bolted and fled the scene! 



When Julia Roberts escaped her impending weddings in the movie, “Runaway Bride,” she truly believed she had found true love right up until the actual commitment ceremony. I didn’t go that far, but I came closer than anyone could have imagined. Four days prior to our wedding I began to reflect on the seriousness of my decision. Suddenly it all seemed so extremely permanent. We were talking about forever! Did I love this man enough for ever after? In my confusion, I found myself in my mother’s dressing room heaped on her floor, reduced to tears and pouring out my fears. I didn’t want to get married! I was too young! I was barely 21. What if I was making a mistake? Lovingly, my mother listened as I wept uncontrollably, spilling out my irrational fears and concerns. I wanted to graduate from college. What if I accidently got pregnant and couldn’t finish? It was a Thursday night and the following Monday morning was to be my Wedding Day. Invitations had been sent, bridesmaid dresses had been made, and money had been spent on the reception. My wedding dress hung in the closet, lovingly stitched by my mother. Before me flashed my non refundable wedding. 



Yet in spite of all the preparation and money involved, my mother wisely said, “You don’t have to marry anybody you don’t want to. The money doesn’t matter. Pray about it and talk to Dale and if you want to cancel the wedding we will.” Reassured, I followed the wisdom that graced my mother’s lips. She showed no signs of panic or stress. There was only love and understanding in her eyes. 



The next night Dale came down and we talked about my fears for the future and how marriage and children would somehow keep me from following my dreams. Dale listened while I cried and talked and then suddenly none of it mattered anymore. This was the man I was supposed to marry . . . the one who would love me unconditionally and care for me. Happily we parted for the night. All at once I couldn’t wait to get married! I didn’t want to run away anymore.



Our actual wedding day was truly memorable, a never to be forgotten daze of events, ones we still laugh about today! 



My morning began with a scramble to get dressed, after my alarm clock failed to go off on time. I wouldn’t have considered having my hair professionally styled back then, having experienced a bad salon up-do in the seventh grade for my sister Vicki’s wedding. So I rolled up my hair with electric steamrollers, grabbed my make-up bag, and put myself together during the car ride to Salt Lake. My parents and I blew in with little time to spare, my hair straighter than I’d hoped for, just as Dale and his parents arrived. I don’t remember the specific details of our ceremony or the profound words of advice we received. I only remember being with Dale and the joy I felt with my hands in his. We loved each other and we were going to be together forever. Suddenly it didn’t seem long enough.

Our marriage literally began on shaky ground, following the beautiful wedding breakfast Dale’s parents provided. Dale began to feel nauseated, shaky and pale, an unfortunate recipient of food poisoning, more than likely caused by contaminated Cornish game hens served at the breakfast. After too many well-intentioned home remedies from everybody’s mother and their dog, he spent most of our wedding reception throwing up in the restroom. We have endured years of family jokes about who really deserves to celebrate our anniversary, as his brother, Leon, and my brother-in-law, Richard, were substitute grooms throughout the evening.

Our reception was held at the Alpine Country Club, where I was a waitress, working my way through college. After I returned to my employment, I discovered my coworkers were still unsure about which of the three grooms I had married. Humorously, they asked in confidential whispers, if my new husband just had a case of wedding nerves and shyness! 



There is no one I’d rather be with or talk with other than Dale. I am sure that he was hand picked for me in the life before this, because I was much too self centered and immature to have picked such a winner. When I was younger someone told me that you can always tell what kind of husband a man will be by how he treats his mother. As a teenager I didn’t fully comprehend and appreciate that quiet quality in Dale. As his wife, I am grateful everyday of my life. Like Julia Roberts said in Runaway Bride, “I guarantee there'll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is going to want get out. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. Because I know in my heart you're the only one for me!”