Rose and Tom's Wedding Reception

 The reception happened in the Ranch Haven dining hall that was rustic already, but beautified by wild flowers, leafy aspen twigs, pine slab circles, and a window covered with hanging tin cans full of purple lupine. 

I don't know who came up with all these ideas, but my nieces are just amazing!

 Tom's uncle Pete made a wonderful emcee.

First he welcomed in the maid of honor, Carrie, and best man, Joey Hagerty.

Then came Crystal on Sam's arm.

Tim, with Hannah on his arm, entered with a whoop and a sweep of his hat! What fun! Could I believe that was my Tim? I don't see him much as he lives right there at Ranch Haven, trucking and running his lumber mill. 

Next came Shelby on her brother Robby Hagerty's arm.  

Elizabeth came in on her brother Danny's arm.

 

And Pearl, Rose's cousin, came in on our own Danny's arm. 

Now comes the bride and groom! 

Such fun moments! You should have heard the roar of clapping and whistling and yelling! Between the Lucas and Hagerty clans, there is always more than enough noise!

Tom prepares to seat his bride... 

 

and does so gallantly!

Rose's father observes from the parents' table nearby.  

The western-style cowboy menu included homemade meatballs from our own steer that Tom and Rose had helped to butcher, baked beans, a selection of cold salads, watermelon, and rolls with butter and various homemade jams or jellies.  

 

Rose's cousin Krissy had written up the menu items on miniature chalkboards I had brought along.

 When open mike was announced, I shared a few thoughts and memories, and then a poem I'd written (at Rose's request).  The poem is at the end of this post. 

Carrie shares how she has spent her entire life with Rose and that she will miss her, but she wishes God's blessings on her and Tom. 

Hannah shares some memories as the little "tag-along" sister who collaborated with Danny on the evening of Rose's and Tom's engagement to try to spy on them with Danny's spotting scope.

Thankfully trees were in the way, preventing the two from seeing the romance happening down at the river!

Our dear old friend Ward French offered an admonition to the couple to remain committed even when feelings are not as positive and happy as they are today--such as when Rose might yell at Tommy (heaven forbid!) for not getting home on time for her nice supper that is getting cold.

The two cut the cake baked by Shelby, Tom's sister. 

Rose wanted a western style cake with cowboy boot cakes beside it.  

 

The boots!

While Rose was beginning to sign the marriage license, Tom's brother loudly called out, "If you don't know how to spell Hagerty, it's H-A-G-E-R-T-Y!" 

Just before the end of the reception, Tom's uncle announced that the bride's bouquet was going--not to one of a bunch of unmarried girls but to some couple that was going to win it. 

He then asked all the married couples to stand, and proceeded to ask that those who had been married five years or less be seated back down. 

Ten years, twenty, thirty, forty, forty-five. 

At fifty-two years the contest was over. A couple who had been neighbors and friends of the Hagertys when they lived in Oklahoma won the bride's bouquet for being married the longest!

In this way, Tom and Rose sought to honor not only the longest-married couple in the room, but to honor the long-time Biblical standard of marriage--a for always marriage.

*********

And here is the poem I wrote for the reception.

 

   For Rose and Tommy’s wedding

In the unforgettable year of Two Thousand One,
Tommy was born, the Hagertys’ son.
He joined his brother in the month of May
To make a family of four that day.

On August 11, sweet Rose was born,
Meeting three siblings the very next morn.
Exactly one month later, the Twin Towers fell,
But Rose was too young and too small to tell.

In Maryland Tommy grew and grew,
And how very little his boyish heart knew
That the girl for him to become his bride
Was growing on the prairie big and wide.

As life sped on, as life will do,
Tommy came out to the prairie, too.
Out under the blue Colorado sky
His family settled by and by.

Both families checked out the Cowboy Church
For a place of worship they were both on the search.
As country home schoolers, the two families clicked,
And each other for friends the children picked.

Year after year the youngsters would play.
They skied, hiked, and hunted day after day.
They talked about jobs, four-wheelers, skis;
About horses and Uno and light-up frisbees.
Musical instruments most learned to strum,
Taking music wherever they were were invited to come.
For those who were lonely the families did care,
On special occasions, good music would share.
They met for Bible study one night a week,
Knowing God’s Word has the answers we seek.

Then one year things changed. Rose pulled a prank.
About to sit on a chair, to the ground Tommy sank.
The mischievous Rose had pulled out his seat,
And Tom met the ground like those Towers met the street!

He must have forgiven. Not long thereafter
At Latigo Rodeo, with fun and laughter,
Tommy asked his sweet Rose if she would date,
And to a bright future they opened the gate.

They’ve dated and waited for two long years,
Sharing joys and laughter, troubles and tears.
Today is the day they’ve been dreaming of,
Full of joy and happiness, sunshine and love.

Born in the year when the Twin Towers fell,
Tommy and Rose both know something well.
Unless the Lord builds the city or home on the plain,
The work of their family will all be in vain.

Upon the foundation of God’s Word alone
Must a new couple build, stone upon stone.
Towers and houses may implode and break,
But building with God is not a mistake.

His Word is a tower that will never fall down,
Protecting their marriage from the missiles around.
God’s Word will uphold them through every test,
Will guide them and guard them, nourish and bless.

Tommy and Rose, as you join heart and hand,
Upon God’s holy Word your marriage will stand.

Though you were born when the Twin Towers fell,
May God build your home, and build it well!